President signs counter-terrorism bill

MOSCOW, March 6 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin signed a bill Monday giving the country's secret services sweeping new powers in the fight against terrorism, the Kremlin press service said.

The bill provides a regulatory framework for dealing with terrorist attacks and their aftermath, and empowers the country's secret services to tap telephone conversations and control electronic communications in areas where counter-terrorism operations are being run.

Under the bill, Russia's air-defense forces are empowered to shoot down hijacked planes in order to prevent attacks on strategic facilities or public places.

The draft was approved by parliament's lower chamber February 26 and upper chamber March 1.