Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Friday a multi-polar world was the key to global security, and criticized the Bush administration's efforts to dominate world politics.

"The situation today is such that each country's security can only be guaranteed by joint security efforts. In this mutually-dependent world, there can only be universal security," said Gorbachev, 76, who remains popular in the West for his role in the collapse of communism.

The United States announced earlier this year it would deploy elements of its missile defense system in Central Europe, allegedly to defend itself and the European continent against potential threats from Iran and North Korea. Moscow has strongly opposed the plans, citing national security concerns, and has offered Washington the joint use of a radar Russia rents in Azerbaijan as an alternative. RIA Novosti