MOSCOW - Yasser Arafat called for an active role for Russia in the Middle East peace process during a telephone call Monday with President Vladimir Putin that was initiated by the Palestinian leader.

Putin and Arafat discussed the current situation in the Middle East during the call, the president's office said in a statement. Arafat spoke of the "further active role of Russia" in international mediation efforts in the region.

Moscow, a traditional ally of the Palestinians during the Soviet era, is an official co-sponsor of the Middle East peace process, though its role has been much smaller than that of the United States.

Although the United States has said a new Palestinian leader is needed to help a peaceful settlement in the region, Russia has maintained its support of Arafat and demanded swift progress toward setting up a Palestinian state.