MOSCOW, Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia's lower house of parliament passed on Sunday an anti-terrorism bill that would allow the armed forces, under certain circumstances, to shoot down hijacked planes or destroy ships being used by terrorists.

    The bill gives the Federal Security Service the lead role in anti-terrorist operations, but the military may be called in to stop aircraft or ships being used for terrorist attacks or hijacked by terrorists, Russian news agencies reported.

    Under the bill, the armed forces are allowed to shoot down an aircraft or destroy a ship if it does not respond to or obey radio orders.

    The president is given the power to decide on the use of the armed forces in fighting terrorism outside Russia in keeping with international accords Russia signed.

    The State Duma approved the bill in its third and final reading on Sunday. The bill will go to the upper house, the Federation Council, and President Vladimir Putin for final approval.

    The bill, whose concept was worked out after a series of terrorist attacks in Russia in 2004, will replace the federal law on fighting terrorism that has been in effect since 1998. Enditem