Russia wants global pact to outlaw weapons deployment in space

UNITED NATIONS: Russia has urged the international community to conclude a global pact to outlaw deployment of weapons in space, warning that they could endanger the existence of all nations.

Addressing the 192-member General Assembly, its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also called for strengthening the "overall" non-proliferation regime for weapons of mass destruction, ranging from nuclear weapons to strategic missile defense system.

The possibility of deploying weapons in space brings about a serious threat, he said, adding "Its threat is determined by the global coverage, which can endanger all States without exception."

Russia, he said, is consistently opposing deploying in space weapons of any type and calls upon the international community to conclude an agreement to that effect.

Peace must be based on a collective approach, he said, criticising "unilateral plans in the area of missile defence."

He was apparently referring to the Nations Missile Defense system that the US wants to deploy to shield itself and its allies from missile attacks by what it calls rogue states and terrorist outfits.

But Lavrov commended Russian President Vladimir Putin's "constructive alternative" -- collaborative work with the participation of Russia, the United States, Europe and subsequently of other countries.