Russia sends deputy minister to Gaza region

Moscow: Russia has sent a senior official to the Middle East to press for a ceasefire in Gaza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Saltanov, President Dmitry Medvedev's special ambassador for the Middle East, flew to the region on Sunday, the ministry said.

"It is essential to end the suffering of the civilian population on both sides, to stop bloodshed by ensuring a bilateral ceasefire," the ministy said in a statement.