Russia "lookalike" leaders stump Egypt's Mubarak

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and president-elect Dmitry Medvedev talk during a meeting with leading deputies of the Upper House of Parliament, the State Duma, in the Kremlin in Moscow, March 11, 2008.

NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia (Reuters) - What is the difference between Russia's outgoing president, Vladimir Putin, and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev? Not very much, according to Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak.

At a meeting at Putin's official residence on the outskirts of Moscow on Tuesday, 79-year-old Mubarak told Putin that the physical similarities with Medvedev were almost uncanny.

"Your appearances are very much alike," Mubarak said before heading in for talks with Putin.

"When going to meet Medvedev, I saw you on the television and felt at a loss as to who is who."

The hugely popular Putin stands aside in May after eight years in power because Russia's constitution bars him from a third consecutive term in office.

Putin has already stated he will be the country's prime minister, triggering opposition leaders and some analysts to suggest Medvedev will merely be Putin's puppet. But Putin assured Mubarak that Medvedev would be his own man.

"Despite the likeness in appearance, Medvedev is sure to have his own style," he said. "He was a co-author of Russia's foreign policy, he is competent and you will find it easy to deal with him."

(Reporting by Oleg Shchedrov, writing by James Kilner, edited by Richard Meares)