07 September 2004	Tuesday	21 Rajab 1425

JERUSALEM, Sept 6: Israel's and Russia's foreign ministers inked a deal on Monday to step up intelligence co-operation after the Beslan school tragedy, branding terrorism the biggest challenge facing the international community.

Speaking on a one-day visit to Jerusalem, Russia's Sergei Lavrov said a united front was needed to combat the threats posed by the likes of the Chechen guerillas behind last week's school hostage tragedy that claimed the lives of more than 300 people.

Lavrov thanked Israel for expressions of sympathy and solidarity over the events in North Ossetia, saying it had been the first country to offer assistance to Moscow in the aftermath.

"Today is day of grief for Russia after the events in Beslan," said the Russian minister. "These events demand a united front in the battle against terrorism ... International terrorism is the most dangerous enemy of all the people."

Lavrov was speaking after signing a joint declaration with his Israeli counterpart Silvan Shalom at the start of a press conference here. "The growing interdependency of states caused by rapid development of globalisation requires mobilisation of the international community to counter modern threats and challenges," the statement said.

"In this regard the foreign ministries will encourage in every possible way the development of broad bilateral, regional and multilateral co-operation in fighting international terrorism."

Shalom expressed his condolences over the tragedy in Beslan, telling Lavrov Israel fully understood the pain and grief that Russia was now experiencing. "The terror that hit Russia is no different to the terror that hit New York, Tel Aviv or Madrid," said Shalom.

"Israel and Russia share interests to co-operate against terrorism. Today we discussed ways to do so. "The international community must unite against terrorism, must raise a united front against the murder of children." -AFP