President Boris Yeltsin praised General Alexander Lebed on Monday in what could indicate a reversal of the Defense Ministry's decision to fire the maverick commander for criticizing the government. Interviewed by Interfax, Yeltsin said Lebed's role ""is great in keeping the situation under control,"" adding that it is unacceptable to ""artificially aggravate the situation"" in Moldova's breakaway region of Transdnestr by any actions or decision. By telephone from the region's capital Tiraspol, Lebed said Yeltsin's remarks were ""encouraging."" ""It looks like a return to common sense, like a fatherly reprimand of the Defense Ministry,"" Lebed said.