MOSCOW (AFP) - The ouster of Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi proves that democracy does not work in non-Western states, a top lawmaker close to President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"The events in Egypt show that there is no quick and peaceful transition from authoritarian regimes to democratic politics," said Alexei Puskov, chairman of parliament's foreign affairs committee.

"This means that democracy does not work as a panacea, especially in countries that are not part of the Western world," he told the Interfax news agency.

Puskov does not voice Russia's official position on foreign affairs, but his thinking often reflects that of senior government officials.

The foreign ministry was expected to issue its own statement later on Thursday.