Israel - Israel has urged visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin to take a stronger line on curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

  Mr Putin is on his first Middle East tour in seven years, aiming to bolster Russia's diplomatic presence.

  He said he had discussed Iran and Syria in great detail and negotiations on both were the only solution.

  Mr Putin unveiled a World War II monument in Netanya and on Tuesday will travel to the West Bank.

  Israel and Russia have strong cultural ties, with Israel home to more than a million immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

  But politically relations have often been strained, correspondents say.