Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 24 called upon the Iraqi leadership to treat prisoners of war with dignity as required under international Laws.

"Russia is aware how the Iraqi PoWs are being kept (by the US-led coalition) and we hope that the Iraqi side would also fulfil all the requirements of the international Laws on PoWs," Putin was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti news agency.

It reported that Putin has instructed Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov to convey his request to the Iraqi leadership about the need to treat PoWs in accordance with international Laws.

Atleast five American soldiers, including one woman, were captured on March 23 and then shown on Iraqi television.

Speaking at a Kremlin meeting with his key Cabinet members on March 24, Putin said Iraq remains the "most hurting spot" in the international arena.

"The number of casualties (of the war) is rising on both the sides, this can evoke nothing but regret," Putin said.

Emergency Situations and Disaster Management Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin that Russia has airlifted four plane-loads of humanitarian supplies to Iran for setting up refugee camps for Iraqis fleeing the war.

PTI