MOSCOW, July 10 (Itar-Tass) - Russia should step up the role in the Middle East and “its role will be in demand”, State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Nikonov said.

Speaking at a press conference at the Itar-Tass news agency on Wednesday, Nikonov said, “The Arab world seeks to see Russia in its region.”

“Russia left the region and this gave the region neither stability nor happiness and prosperity,” he said.

“If Russia steps up the role in the Middle East region, it will be in demand,” the Duma lawmaker stressed.