MOSCOW, Feb. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Chechnya's Kremlin-backed President Alu Alkhanov Saturday said he did not think the reports about rebel leader Shamil Basayev's possible death are misinformation.

    "I am inclined to believe that the reports on Basayev's death are not misinformation," Alkhanov told a press conference at the Interfax headquarters in Moscow.

    The Chechen president said, if the reports are proven true, Basayev could have died of "a serious kidney disease and complications following an earlier foot amputation."

    Reports about Basayev's death have been in circulation for several days and Alkhanov had been holding that there was no confirmation on his death.

    Asked how Basayev's possible death could influence the situation in Chechnya at the press conference, Alkhanov said, "...in my opinion, this would certainly have a positive effect."

    The president said any member of the Chechen armed groups, except Aslan Maskhadov and Basayev, willing to abandon their criminal activities would have a chance to return to a peaceful life.

    He said neither Maskhadov nor Basayev was able to lead Chechnyafrom the course determined by the republic and the state.

    Russia Friday condemned British TV broadcast of an interview with Basayev, calling it "direct informational support of terrorism."

    In the interview aired by Britain's television Channel 4 Thursday night, Basayev said his followers would launch more attacks like Beslan school hostage-taking in Russia's North Ossetia republic last September. Enditem