JERUSALEM, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to Russia earlier this week to discuss Moscow's arms deals with Iran and Syria, local daily Ha'aretz quoted a senior Israeli official as saying on Wednesday.
The Monday trip was only known to the prime minister's close aides and adviser and a few other high-ranking officials, which has been neither confirmed nor denied by the Prime Minister's Office, according to the report.
The visit focused on security issues, particularly Russia's weaponry deals with Iran and Syria, said the report, adding that Netanyahu also presented his Russian host with evidence that a great deal of weaponry was making its way into the hands of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement.
The Jewish state is involved in a dispute with Syria over the strategic Golan Heights, which Israel captured in 1967 from its northern neighbor.
Meanwhile, Israel sees Iran as its arch-foe and has refused to rule out the possibility of launching military attacks against the Islamic republic's nuclear sites. It also blacklists the Lebanese Shiite armed group Hezbollah as a terrorist organization.
Israel's primary concern is Iran's purchase of the S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, said the report, noting that should the missiles be deployed outside Iran's nuclear facilities, it would be very difficult for Israel to strike them.
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-09/09/content_12023651.htm
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