(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-11-28 21:31

MOSCOW -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on his homeward flight from Annapolis that his country will host the next Middle East peace conference, news agencies reported Wednesday.

Lavrov said he appreciated the US efforts in ensuring a deal between Israelis and Palestinians on Tuesday, RIA Novosti news agency reported.

The deal was reached shortly before the beginning of the Annapolis conference, under which Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed to rekindle peace talks to seek a final solution to their six-decade conflict.

The top Russian diplomat said the participants in the conference welcomed Russia's offer to host the next meeting in Moscow.

"Its date and agenda are yet to be coordinated, and we will take into account progress made between the Palestinians and Israelis," he was quoted as saying.