Russia's Medvedev makes election appeal to voters

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's likely next president Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday appealed directly to voters to back him in Sunday's election, saying he knew how to make the country strong and successful.

"We have many problems that have not been resolved. The country must move forward," Medvedev, overwhelming favorite to win the presidential election after being endorsed by President Vladimir Putin, said in an address broadcast on state television.

"For that we need political stability, for that we need every day to improve peoples' lives, to develop the economy, reliably protect Russia's sovereignty and defend the rights of our citizens."

"We know how to make the country a success. We can do that. And I am sure that is how it will be."

The address was Medvedev's first explicit appeal to voters to support him, though he has for weeks been traveling the country on a campaign tour given blanket coverage on Russian television.

He took a one-day leave on Wednesday from his job as first deputy prime minister, which under Russian law allows him to speak in his capacity as a candidate.

(Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by Charles Dick)