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Russia calls on parties in conflict to end violence in Mali

The Russian Foreign Ministry has voiced its concern with growing tensions in Mali

MOSCOW, May 2 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian Foreign Ministry has voiced its concern with growing tensions in Mali, noting the recently-started movement towards returning the situation back to normal has been unstable.

"We are calling on conflicting parties in Mali, the military in the first place, to stop violence and give priority to talks," the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized.

Moscow "supports the intermediary efforts of the Economic Community of West African States to settle the internal crisis in Mali," the Ministry went on to say.

On April 26, countries members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) passed a decision to send their troops to Mali and Guinea-Bissau to control the transition of power from the military to a civilian government.

Simultaneously, Moscow is concerned with attempts of the junta in Mali to torpedo the provisions of an agreement with ECOWAS singed on April 26 this year and the ECOWAS intermediary mission.

Mali is facing a deep military-political crisis. The country's northern regions are under control of various armed groups, including Islamist extremists, the Touareg insurgents and criminal gangs.