Putin warning after Moscow clashes
Violent clashes outside the Kremlin have highlighted the need to strengthen law and order, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said.
A weekend rally of 5,000 racists and hooligans left more than 30 people injured and raised doubts about the Kremlin's ability to stem a rising tide of xenophobia.
Police on Wednesday prevented new clashes between racists and mostly Muslim ethnic minorities, detaining over 1,000 people in Moscow.
Mr Putin, speaking during a phone-in broadcast live on Russian state television and radio said the violence demonstrated the importance of maintaining law and order in the interests of the majority.
He said it also underlined the need to protect the rights of every ethnic group and educate the population to fight xenophobia.