Russia pushes for Mideast talks

MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- Russia says it fears that the upsurge of violence in the Middle East could explode into full-scale conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

The Russian Foreign Ministry denounced the latest series of suicide bomb attacks claimed by militant Palestinian groups, but said it feared that retaliatory Israeli air strikes could push the tension beyond the point of no return.

It urged Israelis and Palestinians to take co-ordinated actions to end violence and restart peace talks and called for an easing on restrictions on the Palestinian territories.

"We are deeply concerned that the logic of violence rather than a desire to put an end to confrontation has started to prevail in the region," the ministry said in a statement.

"This is a very dangerous trend and unless changed it could fuel a full-scale conflict."

Moscow, together with the United States, is co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process that broke down in its final stages late last September.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Russian Foreign Ministry

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