The situation in the Middle East and the Arab world in general may be fraught with disintegration of populous states and the fanatics’ rise to power, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said.

"Look at the situation that has taken shape in the Middle East and the Arab world. It is the gravest, there are very great difficulties ahead," he said on Tuesday at a meeting of the National Anti-Terrorist Committee (NAC).

In some cases, according to Medvedev, "we may see the disintegration of big populous states” and the breakup of these countries “into small pieces. "

"And these states are no simple ones, it is likely that there will be complex events ahead, including the rise of fanatics to power - this would mean the fires there will rage for decades and the spread of extremism in the future, we must face the truth," said the president.

He added: "They had prepared such a scenario for us, and now they will try to implement it, but in any case, this scenario will not work."

Nevertheless, Medvedev said, the ongoing events in the Middle East will have a "direct impact" on the situation in Russia.

"This is going to be a very long period, we are talking about an outlook for decades, let's be honest with ourselves, let us not deceive ourselves, or mislead the people. It is a big, complicated problem, and for solving it we will have to exert very serious efforts for a very long time," said Medvedev. He believes that no one, except the Russians themselves, "will be able to restore order."

Common approaches to solving the problem of extremism and terrorism in Russia spell comprehensive development of regions, in particular, the North Caucasus, the development of social programs, creation of jobs, development of educational programs, support for education and the broadest possible support for Russian Islam, the president added.

"Those who are prepared to change should be given a chance, but those who want bloodshed will choke on their own blood," he said. There can be no other approaches, he added.

"I would like to say one thing: this is our country and our land, we must put it in order, for all of us and especially for our children, and we shall do that," said Medvedev.