MP says Arab world expect Russia to play more active role in region

RABAT, October 20. /TASS/. Arab countries expect Russia to play more active role in the region, Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) Deputy Speaker Ilyas Umakhanov stated in an interview with TASS on Thursday. Umakhanov is taking part in the tenth congress of the Organization of Solidarity with the People of Asia, Africa and Latin America (OSPAAAL) in Morocco’s capital of Rabat. The Congress is dedicated to the war on terror and is dubbed "together against terrorism." "The Western world and the US still can’t come to terms with the fact that Russia has been reestablishing its political and economic power as well as military capabilities," the senator noted. "At the same time, the Arab countries are optimistic about the unipolar world coming to an end." According to Umakhanov, "Arab countries want global politics to be well-balanced so that there are other poles of power besides the US." In this connection, the Russian senator stressed that "they expect Russia to ensure its re-establishment, including the economic revival." "Many people in the Arab world still remember the excellent facilities built by our specialists or with the USSR’s assistance. These memories have been handed down from one generation to another," Umakhanov added. Read more