- Title: Israel's Netanyahu welcomes Syria truce, warns against Iran involvement
- Date: 9th July 2017
- Summary: JERUSALEM (JULY 9, 2017) (REUTERS) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU ARRIVING AT CABINET MEETING MEETING IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Hebrew) ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, SAYING: "Israel would welcome a genuine ceasefire in Syria, but this ceasefire must not open the way for Iran's military entrenchment or that of its satellites in Syria in general and in southern Syria in particular. I spoke about this last week in depth with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both told me they understand Israel's position and will take our demands into consideration. For our part we will continue to monitor events beyond our borders while strongly sticking to our red lines: preventing Hezbollah's armament via Syria, with an emphasis on precision weapons, preventing Hezbollah or Iranian forces from establishing ground presence along our border and preventing the establishment of Iranian military presence in Syria as a whole." MEETING IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 23rd July 2017 11:22
- Keywords: Syria Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Cease fire
- Location: JERUSALEM
- City: JERUSALEM
- Country: Syria
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Military Conflicts
- Reuters ID: LVA0016OZVGHZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed on Sunday (July 9) a U.S.-Russian brokered ceasefire in southwestern Syria which took effect earlier in the day, but warned against Iranian involvement in the ongoing Syrian conflict.
Israel has targeted its neighbouring state several times during the conflict, sometimes after projectiles have landed in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, but also to hit weapons supplies of Lebanon's Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, which is fighting alongside the Syrian government.
Israel has long warned against Iran's involvement in Syria fighting and urged world powers to limit what it sees as a regional threat.
Israeli officials estimate Iran commands at least 25,000 fighters in Syria, including members of its own Revolutionary Guard, Shi'ite militants from Iraq and recruits from Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also coordinates the activities of the powerful Lebanese militia Hezbollah. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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