Iranian naval base in Syria disadvantageous both for Israel, Russia - Israeli ambassador in Moscow
MOSCOW. April 1 (Interfax) - The fact of Iran building a naval base in Syria will not meet the interests of Israel and Russia, Israeli Ambassador to Russia Gary Koren said.
"Several months ago media circulated the leaked information about a visit of the Syrian prime minister to Tehran for the purpose of discussing the plans of Iran's assistance in rebuilding the Syrian economy, under which Damascus is to hand over a port to Iran," he said in an interview with Interfax.
"We believe that the existence of such a port and, all the more so, a naval base won't meet Russia's interests as well," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke about Iran's attempts to build a naval base in Syria during a telephone briefing following his negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Netanyahu told reporters that Iran's efforts in maintaining the constant presence in Syria is the main reason for his visit to Moscow and that he thoroughly discussed with the Russian president these plans during the visit.
"I made it clear to President Putin our resolute opposition to the consolidation of Iran and its proxies in Syria," the Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted the prime minister as saying.
