The Arabic edition of the Moscow News, Anbaa Mosku, re-launched three months ago after a 17-year break, is being extensively read across the Middle East, the MENAFN news agency reported on Monday.

Anbaa Mosku began in the Soviet Union, which at that time cultivated close ties with the Arab world, but printing stopped shortly after the collapse of the Communist regime in 1991.

RIA Novosti resumed publication of the Arabic edition of the Moscow News in November 2009 after a 17-year break as part of the Russian government's strategy to step up relations with the Middle East.

"It can be seen all around the Middle East," Anbaa Mosku editor Raed Jaber was quoted as saying by the news agency.

"The announcement of the newspaper's re-launch was met with widespread support both in Russia and in the Arab world, which hope that it will contribute to the maintenance of strong political and economic ties of the old partners for many years to come," he added.

Anbaa Mosku is currently a monthly publication with a circulation of 150,000 copies in 15 Arab countries and Israel. Jaber said the paper could soon switch to weekly editions.

MOSCOW, March 15 (RIA Novosti)