Russia calls for freeing of Israeli soldier

MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called on Palestinian militants on Monday to free an Israeli soldier while urging Israel to show restraint in its offensive in Gaza.   

"The main thing now is to have the Israeli soldier freed. We are trying to facilitate this through every channel we have," Lavrov said after meeting Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Moscow.   

"We expect the Palestinians to stop shelling Israeli towns," he said, referring to daily cross-border rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip.   

Despite criticism from Israel, Russia in March hosted leaders of the radical group Hamas, two months after it won Palestinian elections and formed a government.   

Russia argues that dialogue with Hamas, denounced by the West for its calls to destroy Israel, is more practical than isolating the group, which has strong popular support in the Palestinian territories.   

Israel has said no one in the Hamas-led government is immune from attack after the abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit by gunmen in a cross-border raid on June 25.   

Palestinian militants gave Israel less than 24 hours on Monday to meet their demand to release Palestinian prisoners, threatening unspecified consequences if they refused. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert rejected the ultimatum.   

"We also urge the Israeli leadership to show restraint," said Lavrov. Livni said Lavrov had sent "a much needed signal" and that she had debated whether to visit Moscow at such an important time.

"But I decided to come because Russia''s role in this situation could be very important," Livni said.   

"I am thankful to the Russian foreign minister who sent a much needed signal about the need to free the kidnapped soldier without conditions," Livni said.   

Livni later met President Vladimir Putin. After the meeting, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas phoned Putin to discuss the latest upsurge of violence, the Kremlin said.   

"The Palestinian leader thanked Putin for Russia''s efforts in settling the crisis and returning to peaceful dialogue," the Kremlin statement said.