Makhachkala, April 2, 2010. On April 1, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev paid a visit to Dagestan, in the wake of deadly suicide bombings that took place in Kizlyar and in Moscow earlier in the week.

Twelve people were killed in the Dagestani town of Kizlyar in two suicide bombings.

Medvedev met with security chiefs and regional leaders in Makhachkala, where he demanded swifter and harsher reactions to terrorism.

“We must deal sharp dagger blows to the terrorists, destroy them and their lairs,” he said.

“The list of measures to fight terrorism must be widened. The key in struggle against terrorism is the complex decision of the problem, the decision of economic, social problems and also moral education. I wait new offers about financing, about new objects, about creation of new workplaces.

We must strengthen a law-enforcement and power component: the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Federal Security Service, other forces of the law and order. We must destroy terrorists. We must pay attention to economy and social sphere, education, culture, humanitarian programs. We must strengthen morals and a spiritual component and help religious leaders.

Then the director of Federal Security Service of Russia Alexander Bortnikov and the head of Ministry of Internal Affairs Rashid Nurgaliev spoke.

Following the results of the meeting the press conference of heads of North Caucasian republics took place. In particular, on preventive maintenance of religious extremism the head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov said: “It is necessary to give more preference to religious Muslim figures who should preach traditional Islam in Russia”.

After the meeting the President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and the president of Dagestan Magomedsalam Magomedov continued dialogue in a bilateral format.