OREANDA-NEWS. December 29, 2008. A telephone conversation took place on December 27 between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

Discussions centered mainly on the situation owing to the start of a large-scale Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. A common opinion was expressed about the need to stop the use of force without delay, which has already led to numerous casualties and suffering among Palestinian civilians, and to return to the state of lull as soon as possible.

In response to the Egyptian minister’s appeal, Lavrov said that Russia in coordination with regional parties will continue energetically to seek cessation of bloodshed and military confrontation.