Netanyahu Says Israel Operations Will Continue in Syria as Needed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that he has made it clear to the U.S. and Russia that Israel will continue with its operations in Syria.
Netanyahu said he told Washington and Moscow that Israel will act according to its "security needs."
Israel has largely stayed out of the war but has struck suspected weapon convoys to Hizbullah.
His remarks came on the heels of an international agreement laying out principles for post-war Syria.
A U.S.-Russian statement Saturday affirmed an understanding calling for "the reduction and ultimate elimination" of foreign fighters.
Israel has long complained about the involvement of archenemy Iran, and its Lebanese ally Hizbullah, in Syria.
It has expressed concerns of a "Shiite corridor" with land links from Iran to Lebanon, providing movement of militants and weapons across the region.
Speaking later Monday in parliament, Netanyahu said some of Israel's Arab neighbors shared its concerns.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with countries of the moderate camp in the Arab world, in the face of radical Islam, no matter where it comes from, be it Iran, the Islamic State group or elsewhere," he said, without naming the countries.
"I think that this growing closeness and consultation is first and foremost good for security and ultimately for peace," he added.
Sunni Muslim powerhouse Saudi Arabia has long been at loggerheads with Shiite, non-Arab Iran but friction has been growing lately as Tehran has backed Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman accused Iran of "direct military aggression" against the kingdom by supplying the rebels with ballistic missiles.
The kingdom says one was fired toward Riyadh from Yemen on November 4 but brought down by its air defenses.
Iran denied any involvement.
"Iran knows very well, and everyone else should be aware, that we shall not agree to nor accept its military deployment in Syria," Netanyahu told parliament.
Source: Associated Press, Agence France Presse
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