Liberman: ‘Israel appreciates Russia’s understanding of our security needs’

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman met in Moscow with his Russian counterpart for talks focusing on Israel’s border with Syria.

By: World Israel News Staff

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that he and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman discussed the security problem in southwestern Syria, along its border with Israel on Thursday.

After the conference with Shoigu, Liberman said on his Twitter account that “Israel appreciates Russia’s understanding of our safety needs as well as the situation on our northern border.

“The dialogue with Russia will continue,” Liberman added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday said foreign militias should leave southwestern Syria as soon as possible, state media outlet TASS reported.

Lavrov echoed comments he made earlier in the week when he stated that only Syrian troops must be stationed in rebel-held Daraa province, a spot that has emerged as a flashpoint in a wider standoff between the Jewish state and Iran.

The Syrian capture of rebel-held parts of this region has raised Israeli concerns that its backers — Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah — could use up positions over the frontier.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned his government wouldn’t allow Iran to keep a presence that is military in Syria.

Russian news reports said Moscow desires to cut a deal that could see Russian police on the border. The deal would see the pullout of all Iranian forces through the area and require Syrian rebels to surrender heavy weapons.