Photo:
2017 AFP / Stephane Mahe
MOSCOW, 21 Aug — RIA Novosti. Director of the Israeli foreign intelligence service “Mossad” Yossi Cohen and head of the national security Council, Meir Ben Shabat will accompany Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit to Russia, reports the newspaper Haaretz.
Previously, the newspaper the Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu will visit Wednesday to Sochi, where hopes to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is expected that policy will discuss recent developments in the middle East — in particular, as noted by Haaretz, consistent with participation of USA and Russia truce in southern Syria.
Last week, the Israeli delegation under the leadership of Cohen visited Washington. As the newspaper notes, in addition, the delegation consisted of the chief of military intelligence Herzl Halevi and head of the military-political Department of the Ministry of defense Zohar, Palti. It was assumed that the Israeli delegation will try to convince high-ranking representatives of the us administration to amend some clauses of the agreement on ceasefire in the South of Syria, to include more clear provisions on the need to withdraw from Syria Iranian troops and fighters of the Shiite movement “Hezbollah”.
Haaretz argues that Israel, USA and Russia in early July, held a series of secret negotiations, during which they discussed the ceasefire in the South of Syria and the establishment of zones of de-escalation on the Syrian-Israeli and Syrian-Jordanian borders. According to the newspaper, the Israeli side insisted that the agreement should provide a solution to the problem of the presence of Iran in all areas of Syria. The Israelis said the Russian and the American side that they should demand the withdrawal from Syria of Iranian troops of the Islamic revolution guards Corps (IRGC), Lebanese Hezbollah and Shiite militias. Otherwise, Israel and Jordan can be at risk, the newspaper said.
Citing unnamed Israeli officials and sources in Western diplomatic circles, the publication notes that Israel was dissatisfied concluded between the US and Russia agreement, as it has never been mentioned Iran or Hezbollah. It also did not mentioned about the presence of Iranian forces in other parts of Syria.
For the practical implementation of the cessation of hostilities and the establishment of peace in South-West Syria, Russia, Jordan and the United States had previously signed in Amman the corresponding Memorandum, which was approved by the presidents of Russia and the United States. The Memorandum sets out the boundaries of the South-Western area of de-escalation in the provinces of Daraa, Quneitra and as-Suwayda, as well as the power control of the cease-fire. Russian military police deployed in the areas of de-escalation of new checkpoints and observation posts to ensure the cessation of hostilities.