UPDATE 1-Russia, Belarus solve milk row but gas row looms

* Russia-Belarus "milk war" ends, gas row looms

* Russia irritated as Belarus delays recognition of rebels

(Writes through, adds quotes, details, background)

MOSCOW, June 17 (Reuters) - A row over a ban on imports of Belarussian dairy goods to Russia was resolved on Wednesday, but Moscow demanded payment from Minsk of $230 million in gas arrears, Russian media reported.

The milk row further damaged relations between the two Slav neighbours who have long pledged but failed to build a "union state".

Belarus on Wednesday lifted its day-old strict customs controls imposed on roads to Russia after Russia scrapped its ban on dairy product imports from Belarus, Interfax news agency reported.

"This decision was made, taking into account a report from Russia that Belarussian goods again can freely move to Russia," Interfax quoted Sergei Borisyuk, deputy head of Belarus's State Customs Service, as telling journalists.

Russian television channels showed Gennady Onishchenko, Russian chief health official, saying: "A protocol satisfying the Belarussian and Russian sides has been signed."