The Kremlin Press Service announced it at 10.20am (Moscow time).
The Turkish Government regarded this decision with understanding.
In the afternoon President Putin held a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Necdet Sezer. The Turkish leader stressed that his country opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemned the terrorists’ barbaric act and expressed his sympathy with the Russian people over the tragic events in North Ossetia. Mr Putin thanked the Turkish President for support and solidarity.