MOSCOW, November 13. /TASS/. Russia’s special presidential envoy for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov has discussed the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with Sheikh Mahdi Mosuli, the representative of the spiritual leader of Iraq’s Shiites Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani in Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.

"There was a detailed exchange of views on topical Middle East issues with a focus on the situation in and around Iraq, as well as the unprecedented escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict," the Foreign Ministry said.

The sides also touched upon the issues of strengthening friendly Russian-Iraqi relations, including the development of inter-religious ties.