MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is concerned that the Arab Spring revolutions could sow further turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa by provoking a potentially catastrophic rift between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

In written answers to Reuters, Lavrov said the events in the region were still unfolding and cautioned that social, political and religious tensions showed signs of increasing.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Dmitry Medvedev called on Thursday for comprehensive reform of Russia’s political system to try to appease protesters staging the biggest demonstrations since Vladimir Putin rose to power 12 years ago.

In his last state of the nation address to parliament as president, Medvedev outlined plans that would ease the Kremlin’s tight grip on power, including restoring the election of regional governors and allowing half the seats in the State Duma lower house of parliament to be directly elected in the regions.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Dmitry Medvedev called on Thursday for comprehensive reform of Russia’s political system, trying to appease protesters who have staged the biggest demonstrations since Vladimir Putin rose to power 12 years ago.

In his last state of the nation address to both houses of parliament as president, Medvedev said he wanted to restore the election of governors who until now have been directly appointed by a Kremlin keen to keep a tight grip on power.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Dmitry Medvedev has called for an overhaul of Russia’s “exhausted” political system in a sign that street protests and dissatisfaction with Vladimir Putin’s 12-year rule are starting to have some impact.

The two men have dismissed the protesters’ claims that a December 4 parliamentary election was marred by fraud and ignored calls for a rerun. They also sought to play down the significance of the demonstrations as Putin prepares to return to the presidency in an election next March.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Vladimir Putin offered to ease slightly his tight political control of Russian politics in token concessions to protesters he suggested had been paid to turn out in the biggest demonstrations since he took power 12 years ago.

In a 4-1/2 hour call-in question-and-answer show that was broadcast live across Russia and intended to rebuild support as he prepares to reclaim the presidency, the long-serving prime minister sought to portray himself as a reasonable, even-handed national leader who can unite his people.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday dismissed opposition allegations that fraud had helped his ruling party win a parliamentary election and signalled he would not bow to calls at mass protests for the poll to be rerun.

In his annual televised call-in question-and-answer session he tried to shrug off the significance of the biggest opposition protests of his 12-year rule. Initial reaction on social media suggested many Russians see him as out of touch with his people.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday deflected opposition allegations that fraud helped his ruling party win a parliamentary election, saying the result reflected the views of the population.

In his annual televised call-in question-and-answer session he also shrugged off the biggest opposition protests of his 12-year rule, saying they were permissible if they remained peaceful and within the law.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Thursday deflected opposition allegations that fraud helped his ruling party win a parliamentary election, saying the result reflected the views of the population.

In his annual televised call-in question-and-answer session he also shrugged off the biggest opposition protests of his 12-year rule, saying they were permissible if they remained peaceful and within the law.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Vladimir Putin will portray himself in a marathon television phone-in as a man in touch with his country despite nationwide weekend protests and, according to a close aide, he will not skirt difficult questions.

“Taking into account the busy agenda, the past election and future election, this phone-in will be special,” Putin spokesman and deputy chief of staff Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

MOSCOW (Reuters) – President Dmitry Medvedev ordered an investigation on Sunday into allegations of fraud in Russia’s parliamentary election, one day after tens of thousands of protesters demanded it be annulled and rerun.

Medvedev responded on his Facebook site to the protesters’ complaints that the December 4 election, won by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia, was slanted in its favor.