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Netanyahu to Discuss with Putin Preventing Syria Regime Forces from Entering Quneitra

Israeli soldiers patrol near the border with Syria. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers patrol near the border with Syria. (AFP)
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Netanyahu to Discuss with Putin Preventing Syria Regime Forces from Entering Quneitra

Israeli soldiers patrol near the border with Syria. (AFP)
Israeli soldiers patrol near the border with Syria. (AFP)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he will travel to Moscow later this week to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Israel’s stance on southern Syria.

Speaking at the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said Israel "will not tolerate a military deployment of Iran and its proxies in any area of Syria."

"We meet from time to time to ensure security coordination and of course discuss developments in the region," he added.

“At the meeting, I will reiterate the two basic principles of Israel's policy: First, we will not tolerate the establishment of a military presence by Iran and its proxies anywhere in Syria – not close to the border and not far away from it. Second, we will demand that Syria, and the Syrian military, strictly uphold the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement,” he stressed.

The agreement prevents the Syrian regime forces from being present with heavy weapons in a security belt along the border.

This effectively prevents them from entering the region of Quneitra and other border regions, which are currently controlled by the opposition, sources close to Netanyahu explained.

"I also maintain constant contact with the US administration. These ties with the two great powers (Russia and the US) are very important for the security of Israel, especially now," added Netanyahu.

In its statement on Friday, the Israeli military said that, while not involved in Syria’s war, it would “continue to implement the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement that includes maintaining the buffer zone.”

The UN-monitored 1974 armistice bars or limits military build-ups by either side around the Golan.

An Israeli cabinet minister said on Thursday that Israel could fire at any Syrian forces it deems to be violating the truce deal.

According to analyses in Tel Aviv, the Syrian regime operation to take control of the areas adjacent to the ceasefire line will take several weeks and will not be as easy to control as Daraa.

The regime should not escalate tensions before the end of the Russia-hosted World Cup so as not to anger Moscow.

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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Am in Contact with Hezbollah, My Agreement with Nasrallah Still Stands

Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)
Lebanese Forces MP Georges Adwan (C) shakes hands with Hezbollah's chief Hassan Nasrallah parliament Speaker Nabih Berri looks on during a meeting that brought together parties from across Lebanon's fractious political spectrum, in Beirut on March 3, 2006. (AFP)

Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri stressed on Monday that Beirut was still committed to the agreement reached with US envoy Amos Hochstein on a path that leads to a ceasefire with Israel and implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he categorically rejected tying the ceasefire to the presidential election in Lebanon.

“No one has anything to do with the election of a president and no one has the right to interfere in this issue. This is a sovereign affair,” he stressed.

“Even though we welcome any initiative to help us, we reject any meddling or dictates,” he added.

Berri held a series of meetings with various officials, including visiting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and army commander Jean Qahwaji.

“We informed the French minister of Lebanon’s position that is committed to a ceasefire and the immediate implementation of resolution 1701 in line with the agreement reached with the US envoy,” Berri said.

He revealed that he is in contact with Hezbollah and that its views “are not far off from our position.”

“I had previously made this initiative and had reached an agreement on it with Hassan Nasrallah. This agreement still stands,” he stated.

During his meeting with Barrot, Berri expressed his gratitude to France and President Emmanuel Macron on their “keenness and support to Lebanon, especially during this critical time with the ongoing Israeli attacks and siege that are preventing it from sending humanitarian aid to the displaced.”