Terror fight goes abroad

MOSCOW - Russia's President Vladimir Putin has asked Parliament for the right to send soldiers and special forces anywhere in the world to fight terrorists.

His request to the Federation Council (Upper House) came nine days after militants killed four Russian hostages they had taken in Iraq.

Russian security services last week offered a US$10 million ($16.7 million) reward for the capture of the Islamist insurgents after Putin ordered that they be hunted down and "eliminated".

According to the Kremlin statement, Putin requested the right to defend "the human rights and freedoms of citizens, the sovereignty of the Russian Federation, its independence and state integrity" by using security forces outside Russia.

Under the constitution, he is duty-bound to ask the Federation Council, which usually does his bidding, for permission before sending troops abroad.

Federation Council Speaker Sergei Mironov said two days ago the chamber was ready to permit Putin to use special forces and the agents of the GRU Army intelligence service outside Russia.

- REUTERS