Russia: Israeli Security Needs Accounted For in Syria Ceasefire Deal

The Times of Israel reports: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that a ceasefire deal in southern Syria brokered by Washington and Moscow took into consideration Israel’s security needs, despite Israeli concerns that it will enable an increased Iranian presence on Israel’s northern border.

Lavrov spoke to reporters after a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Russian Tass news agency reported. “I can guarantee that the American side and we did the best we can to make sure that Israel’s security interests are fully taken into consideration,” he said.

On Sunday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he opposed the deal for an open-ended ceasefire in southern Syria, saying it does not sufficiently address Iranian military ambitions in the area.