Russian President Dmitry Medvedev demanded tightened security across the country after the early Monday morning blasts in the Moscow subway and pledged government assistance to the families of those who died or were injured in the explosions.
"It is difficult to prevent such terrorist attacks and to provide security on transportation," the president said. "It is necessary to tighten what we do, to look at the problem on a national scale, not only relating to a certain populated area but on a national scale. Obviously, what we have done before is not enough."
"It is necessary to remain on alert," Medvedev said. "It is obvious that such attacks were thoroughly planned and were expected to have a large-scale striking effect, aimed to destabilize the situation in the country and in society," he added.
The president stressed that it is important to control the situation stringently but without violation of citizens' rights.
The Russian president will hold a meeting later on Monday on assisting the families of those who died or were injured in the blasts as well as a meeting on cleanup operations following the terrorist attacks.
Medvedev said that the priority is to help those who were affected by the explosions and their families.
Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov said the subway line hit by the two separate terrorist attacks will resume operation within several hours.
Two blasts in Moscow's subway stations Lubyanka and Park Kultury occurred during the early morning rush hour with an interval of 40 minutes, the first one at approximately 8:00 a.m. Moscow time (5:00 GMT). According to preliminary information, at least 37 people have died and dozens were injured.
MOSCOW, March 29 (RIA Novosti)
