Russia committed to independent Palestinian state - Medvedev

Russia has firm positions regarding a Middle East settlement and the creation of a Palestinian independent state that will exist peacefully with Israel, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Thursday.

"Going forward, Russia will continue to promote a settlement in the region on the universally recognized international legal basis," Medvedev said. "Our principled approach on this issue remains unchanged - the result of this work should be an independent Palestinian state that will live in peace with Israel."

Israeli commandos on Monday stormed a convoy of vessels in neutral waters in the Mediterranean Sea that were en route to the Hamas-run Gaza Strip with some 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid and 700 human rights activists.

Nine activists are confirmed killed but Arab media reports put the toll at close to 20. Dozens were reported injured. The international community has widely condemned Israel, with Turkey recalling its ambassador.

"One of our most important partners on the Middle East is Egypt," Medvedev said. "In an agreement on strategic partnership signed a year ago in Cairo, we set a course for a deepening of the full range of our bilateral relations. I am convinced that this fully meets the long-term interests of our two peoples and serves to strengthen international security."

The president said that Russia is fully satisfied with the good results of the coordination of its activities with Egypt with regards to the promotion of the Arab-Israeli peace process.

On Tuesday, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ordered to open the Rafah crossing on the border with Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and open access for those who need medical treatment.