Communists boycott Duma session

MOSCOW, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Communist members of the Russian Duma boycotted a plenary session Friday to protest the results of regional elections.

Only 368 of the 450 members of the lower house of parliament were present, ITAR-Tass reported.

Members of the Duma representing the Communists, the Just Russia Party and the Liberal Democrats walked out of a conference Wednesday. Speaker Boris Gryzlov said he met with them on Thursday in an effort to resolve their concerns.

"Representatives of those factions put forward their demands, which will certainly be discussed," Gryzlov said.

The United Party of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev won Sunday's elections in a landslide. The Communists, Just Russia and Liberal Democrats have asked for a recount.