Russia warns break-up of Iraq a possibility

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Iraq may break up if measures are not undertaken urgently to underpin national unity.

Iraq could break up if measures are not undertaken urgently to underpin national unity, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.

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Lavrov, asked by a journalist whether a break-up of the country was possible amid rampant violence, said he believed that could happen in the absence of rapid measures.

"If there is no sudden change and if there is no start to efforts towards unity, this situation could become reality," Lavrov said on the sidelines of a conference in St Petersbrug, Russia's second city.

Russia opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and has called for efforts to contain violence there.