Moscow, Sep 16 (IANS) Russia is calling on the international community to join efforts in defeating terrorism in the Middle East and North Africa, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.

Russia insists that the fight against terrorism and extremism must be given top priority among all political projects, the minister said in a statement published on the foreign ministry's website.

"UN Security Council must prepare substantial and comprehensive analysis of the situation," Lavrov said, adding that many Arab countries share the opinion that the problem of terrorism must be tackled inclusively, including cutting financial flows and arms trafficking, as well as prevention of oil sales from the deposits seized by terrorists.

"Spread of the (organised) international terrorism must be prevented first," Lavrov said.

The minister said Moscow will assist "by military and other means" the governments of Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen and other Middle Eastern countries which face terrorism threats.

Lavrov was in Paris attending a conference on the security and peace in Iraq.

Representative of 29 countries, including the five member of the United Nations Security Council, vowed strong cooperation "to do everything to ensure that the culprits are brought to justice."