U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert Gates has postponed his visit to Russia because of the international operation in Libya, the Pentagon press service said on Saturday, March 19.

Gates will fly to Russia on Sunday.

The Pentagon said earlier that Gates would come to St. Petersburg on a two-day visit and then would travel on to Moscow for a number of official meetings.

The Moscow negotiations will focus on military reform, defence cooperation and current international security issues, a Pentagon representative said.