PRESIDENT-ELECT Vladimir Putin urged his opponents yesterday to put aside their differences with him for the sake of Russia's economic and political future after months of protests and elections that divided the country.

However, some deputies walked out of the State Duma lower house in protest at his remarks about a disputed mayoral vote following his last annual speech to Parliament as prime minister, underlining the growing challenge he faces from the opposition after the biggest protests of his 12-year rule.

Mr Putin, who will be sworn in on May 7, said in his unemotional one-and-a-half-hour speech that Russia was stronger after his four years in government and must now focus on boosting its population, improving economic growth, creating jobs, modernising the economy and strengthening its global position.

However, to achieve this, he said, all political groups must unite after elections and four months of protests fuelled by anger over alleged electoral fraud and his domination of the world's largest country.

Although his authority has been dented, Mr Putin offered no new concessions to opponents who say he has stifled dissent.