TODAY: Russia condemns Libyan repression; backs UN sanctions; how unrest in the Middle East affects the diarchy.  New police reform law; skepticism as to its effects; Pearl Ensign trial delayed; Navalny proposes anti-United Russia election strategy.  Two top regional officials resign. ID cards; Voina off art prize shortlist; Sochi Mascots

The Russian foreign ministry has urged the Libyan authorities to immediately stop the repressions against people, ITAR-TASS reports.  According to a statement on the Kremlin’s website today, President Dmitry Medvedev heavily criticized Libya’s use of force against civilians, arguing that such acts could qualify as crimes under international law.  Russia apparently supports UN Security Council sanctions against leader Moammar Gadhafi, even though the measures could cost it $4 billion in arms deals.   Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claims that contrary to some reports, he did not discuss the idea of a no-fly zone over Libya with US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.  Reuters analyzes how unrest in the Middle East will affect whether it will be Medvedev or Putin to run for President in 2012.  The news agency also offers some scenarios predicting the consequences of the return of Putin, or a second term for Medvedev.  As entrenched authoritarian regimes in North Africa tremble, Clifford J Levy considers the former Soviet space: ‘Here in Lenin’s former territory, across the expanse of the old Soviet Union, rulers with iron fists still have the upper hand’.  ‘There are, indeed, clear parallels between the pre-revolutionary situation in Libya and the situation in Russia’, argues an op-ed in the Moscow Times.  Why the Kremlin need not fear a ‘Twitter revolution’.