The outgoing Russian State Duma, or the lower house of parliament, ended its four-year mandate after its final session in Moscow on December 24.

At the meeting, Chechen deputy Ibragim Suleimenov drew attention to the situation in Chechnya.

"A small piece of the Russian Federation, the Chechen Republic, needs the assistance of not only the government but also of regions," Suleimenov said.

Chechnya needs the federal effort in order to restore order in its territory, he said.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin's representative in the lower house Alexander Kotenkov recalled that a four-year long path was put behind them.

Kotenkov announced two presidential decrees. Yeltsin awarded the title of Honorary Stage Artist to deputy Alexander Shaklein and the Peoples' Friendship Order to Mikhail Gutseriyev.

After the session, the deputies together with Duma Chairman Gennady Seleznyov had their picture taken.