MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a "radical renewal" of government structures and operations in the north Caucasus in order to fight terror.
"The fight against terrorism demands a radical renewal of the entire policy in the north Caucasus," Putin said Monday at the start of a meeting with regional leaders.
Putin said that national unity was the main requirement for the needed restructuring.
His comments were made in the wake of the hostage-taking drama in Beslan that left more than 300 dead, including some 150 children.
Putin stressed that improving state social support in the north Caucasus was a matter of strategic importance for Russia and that weakness in this area made the region a stronghold for terrorism.
Unemployment in the north Caucasus, for example, was "several times higher" than in the rest of Russia and health care was substantially worse there than elsewhere in the country, he said.
The Russian leader announced the creation of a new federal committee to study the situation in the north Caucasus to be headed by Dmitry Kozak, the chief of staff for the government.
He also called for tougher penalties for officials who through breach of responsibility have assisted extremists in carrying out attacks in Russia.