Russian President Vladimir Putin flew out of Malaysia early today after a brief visit, an official at the Kuala Lumpur international airport said.

His plane left shortly after midnight Tuesday, the official told

Putin, who arrived here Monday, was heading to Uzbekistan before returning to Moscow, Malaysian officials said.

During his trip here, Putin held talks with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wrapped up a RM3.4 billion deal to sell 18 Sukhoi warplanes for the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Chechnyan issue

He also won endorsement for his Chechnya policies from mainly Malaysia.

The statement of support came as Russian media claimed that Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov's wife Kusama and son and daughter live in Kuala Lumpur.

The son has reportedly developed a business and is suspected of using the profits to help guerillas in predominantly Muslim Chechnya, leading the Russian press to speculate that Putin might discreetly ask Malaysia to restrain his activities.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, briefing reporters on a 90 minute meeting between Putin and Mahathir, said the two men had discussed Chechnya.

The alleged presence of Maskhadov's family was not raised at the news conference.

"We consider Chechnya an internal matter of Russia. We are very happy they have conducted the referendum and they are going to hold presidential elections in October," he said.

Peaceful solution

A constitutional referendum aimed at setting up political institutions in Chechnya, which has been granted limited autonomy within the Russian Federation, was held in March and presidential elections are due on Oct 5.

"We recognise Chechnya as part of the Federation of Russia," Syed Hamid said. "We are glad they have given a lot of autonomy to Chechnya, we want to see a peaceful solution to issues affecting Chechnya."

He said Malaysia recognised Russia's efforts to bring peace and stability to the area. "They have done everything possible," he said. - AFP