Moscow hails Mali political settlement

Moscow, April 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia Monday hailed the conclusion of an agreement on restoring constitutional order in the west African nation of Mali, where a military junta has seized power.

While welcoming the agreement, the Russian foreign ministry also called for its earliest implementation.

"Moscow hails the framework agreement on the settlement of the institutional crisis in Mali, which took place between the representatives of the military junta and Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Djibril Bassole, who is the chief mediator of the West African bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community Of West African States).

"...We call on all parties to proceed without delay to finalise the framework agreement and implement the provisions enshrined in it," the ministry's website said in a statement.

Last week, the Mali junta and the 15-state Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) agreed to a timetable for a return to constitutional rule and elections following the March 22 overthrow of President Amadou Toumani Toure, a power grab that sparked international condemnation.

Under the agreement, parliamentary speaker Dioncounda Traore will be the new interim president, ruling with a transitional government until elections are held.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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