MOSCOW, July 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin told the country's military and law enforcement officers Wednesdayto take preemptive actions in fighting terrorism, which he said remains a major threat to the world.

    "Your activities in this area should be preemptive in nature," Putin told top military, law enforcement and security officers at a meeting in the Kremlin, the Interfax news agency reported.

    "We perfectly understand how serious the tasks are that face Russia's law enforcement and security agencies," primarily police and interior forces, Putin said.

    The recent attacks in London, Egypt and in Russia's Caucasus region show "terrorism remains one of the main threats to the world," and Russia will play an important part in the joint work to fight terrorism, Putin said.

    Russia's Chechen republic has been plagued by frequent rebel attacks on law enforcement forces and civilians, and the fighting between government forces and separatist rebels there have spilledover into nearby regions including Dagestan.

    The Russian government has intensified operations to rein in separatists in the breakaway republic since the Beslan school siege, which killed over 330 people last September in the southern republic of North Ossetia.

    Putin urged the Interior Ministry to give priority to protecting people's rights and freedom, preventing attempts to infringe on their legitimate property and building a favorable business climate in Russia.

    The Russian president also noted that illegal immigration and illegal labor markets, which are vulnerable to criminal influence,and uncontrolled financial flows are inflicting serious damage on the Russian economy.

    Putin called for an effective immigration policy, saying Russiais "interested in attracting qualified specialists and manpower from abroad." Enditem