MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday held a telephone conversation with United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the military and political situation in the Middle East.
The Kremlin said in a statement that the two leaders "expressed serious concern over the continuing deterioration of the military and political situation in the Middle East, the loss of civilian lives, and the destruction of energy, industrial and other civilian infrastructure."
They also stressed the importance of a prompt cessation of hostilities and stepping up political and diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful resolution to the conflict, while respecting the legitimate interests of all countries in the region, the statement said.
The two leaders noted with great satisfaction the high level of Russian-UAE cooperation and exchanges, which are growing steadily across a wide range of areas, it added. ■
