Lieberman in message to Russia: Israel won't allow Iranian presence in Syria
'The IDF is ready and well prepared for any scenario, we maintain complete freedom of operations,' the defense minister says after two-day tour of northern border, examining forces' preparedness. 'We will not allow Syria to become a frontline against the State of Israel.'
"The IDF is ready and well prepared for any scenario, we maintain complete freedom of operations," Lieberman said at the end of a two-day tour of Israel's northern border.
"We will not allow Iranian entrenchment in Syria, nor will we allow Syria to become a frontline against the State of Israel. Those who have yet to understand it, should understand it now," he added in a first official Israeli response to Sergey Lavrov's comments.
Lieberman was accompanied on his tour by IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, Deputy IDF Chief Aviv Kochavi, GOC Northern Command Yoel Strick, and the commanders of the Path of Fire Division and the Galilee Division.
The defense minister toured the border area, met with commanders and soldiers and received security briefings on the preparedness of the forces.
"When you meet with IDF soldiers, you're confident there's someone you can count on," Lieberman said.
Lavrov’s comments, quoted in the Russian news agencies RIA and in Interfax, came in response to remarks made Monday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who publicly stated that Israel would not be bound by the agreement and that it would act as it saw fit against any residual presence near its northern border or threats in southern Syria left behind after the agreement.
“I clarified for our friends, first and foremost in Washington and also our friends in Moscow, that Israel will act in Syria, including in southern Syria, in accordance with its understanding and our security needs,” the prime minister said during a Likud party meeting.
In October, Netanyahu told Russia’s Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu that Israel will not allow Iran to entrench its military forces in Syria.
In November, it emerged that Netanyahu’s words had seemingly gone unheeded after the BBC aired satellite footage allegedly showing continued construction work on permanent structures in Lebanon, built for the Iran army between January and October.
The permanent Iranian site, which includes over 20 buildings presumably to be used for soldiers' housing and storing military vehicles, is located 50km from the Golan Heights.
"Israel has already clarified its positions to its friends in Moscow. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Vladimir Putin that in any eventuality, Israel will continue taking care of its own security needs," a statement by the Prime Minister's Office said in response to Lavrov's comments.
