Moscow: Russia categorically ruled out talks with the Chechen separatist leader Aslan Maskhadov and agreed to hold referendum on Chechnya Constitution early next year.

Comparing Maskhdov with Osama bin Laden and Taleban chief Mullah Omar, Russian President Vladimir Putin ruled out talks with him as demanded by the West, Russian agencies reported.

Putin told a Kremlin meeting with moderate Chechen leaders, including prominent businessmen and Islamic clergy that he had invited Maskhadov for peace talks last September, but after sending his representative for an initial meeting he opted for the path of separatism.

Maskhadov was elected President of self-declared independent Chechnya in 1996 for a five-year term, which expired in 2001.

Putin also announced formation of Chechnya's Interior Ministry for combating militancy and maintaining law and order by Chechens themselves.

This decision comes on the eve of Putin's visit to Brussels for European Union (EU) Russia summit.

EU has been criticising Moscow's track record in Chechnya for massive violations of Human Rights by its Army.

At a meeting with the authors of a collective appeal to the people of Chechnya, the Russian President asked them to forget their internal strife and prepare for a referendum on their Constitution and republican elections in order to conclude a treaty on their special status within the Russian Federation.

PTI