Russia welcomed the signing of the Iraqi interim constitution Monday saying it will help promote the country's sovereignty.  

"We believe that the law on state government will promote the speedy recovery of Iraq's sovereignty and its position in the international arena," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Iraq has developed the legal foundation required for preserving a single Iraqi state system, for the process of rebuilding the country on a democratic foundation and for resolving social, economic and other problems," the statement said.

The statement also expressed Russia's determination to further develop a "mutually beneficial" cooperation with Iraq.

Russia's comments came soon after the Monday signing of the interim constitution by all 25 members of the Iraqi Governing Council (IGC).

Russia, which fiercely opposed the US-led war in Iraq along with France and Germany, has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the United States in rebuilding the war-torn country under the United Nations' aegis.

(Xinhua News Agency March 9, 2004)