MOSCOW, January 11 (RIA Novosti) - The speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament said Moscow did not support the U.S. decision to send more troops to Iraq, but would continue to back Washington's fight against terrorism.
U.S. President George W. Bush announced Wednesday his country would send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, almost four years after the U.S.-led invasion.
"Russia has never supported a military presence in Iraq and does not welcome plans to increase the military contingent," Speaker Boris Gryzlov, who leads the pro-Kremlin United Russia party, said.
Gryzlov called for solutions that would bring stability and security to Iraq.
"It is important to ensure that Iraqis themselves provide security, and build a viable state," Gryzlov said, adding that Iraq was still a long way from being a sovereign state despite U.S. assurances.
Both Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have repeatedly described Iraq a sovereign nation.
