Israeli PM heads to Moscow for fourth meeting with Putin

 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left here on Monday for Moscow for another meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Syria is reportedly on the agenda.

It is the fourth time for Netanyahu to meet with Putin within a year, and comes as the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations.

A statement by the Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu would discuss with Putin "the implementation of the understandings that were achieved during his visit to Moscow this past April."

They would also discuss "regional issues, including the global fight against terrorism, the situation in and around Syria and the diplomatic horizon between Israel and the Palestinians," the statement read.

Over the past months, Israel and Russia have enhanced their military coordination to prevent accidental collisions in the wake of air operations that the two countries have carried out in war-torn Syria.

Russian forces fight alongside Syrian government forces under President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel objects al-Assad's government but avoids getting involved directly in the conflict. However, in April, Netanyahu said Israel had launched "dozens" of airstrikes in Syria in the past years to prevent the transfer of weapons to the Hezbollah militant organization in Lebanon.

It was the first time that Israeli officials acknowledged Israel's involvement in such attacks.

source : xinhua