Russia will not turn into a parliamentary republic, though the parliament's role will be strengthened following constitutional amendments, President Dmitry Medvedev said yesterday.

"The suggested constitutional amendments will not turn Russia into a parliamentary republic. To be frank, I think that Russia must not be a parliamentary republic. That would be fatal," Itar-Tass news agency quoted Medvedev as saying in the Urals city of Izhevsk.

The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, has approved constitutional changes to extend the terms of the president and the parliament from four years to six and five years respectively.

The new presidential term will be applicable to the next head of state.

The constitutional amendments will enter into force once they have been approved by both houses of parliament and at least two-thirds of regional legislatures, and published in a government newspaper.

"Nevertheless, the amendments build up the powers of the State Duma and intensify parliament control over governmental activities," said Medvedev.

The ruling United Russia party is headed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, the former president of the country.

Putin stepped down in May after serving two terms as president since 2000 due to constitutional ban on a third consecutive term.