JERUSALEM, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he held talks with United States President-elect Donald Trump, focusing on Syria and other key regional issues.

In a video message, Netanyahu described the conversation as "very friendly, warm," adding that their discussion centered on "the need to complete Israel's victory" in the region.

During their conversation, Netanyahu pointed to shifts in the Middle East, claiming that Israeli operations in Lebanon, Gaza, Yemen, and Syria have diminished Iran's influence over the past year.

The Israeli prime minister maintained that Israel has "no interest in confronting Syria directly" but said future policy will be guided by "the evolving reality on the ground."

"Within a few days, we destroyed capabilities that the Assad regime had built over decades," Netanyahu noted, referring to a series of intense Israeli airstrikes during the past few days following the collapse of the Assad government in Syria on Dec. 8.

He added that the strikes aimed to prevent weapons from being used against Israel or transferred from Syria to Hezbollah.

Netanyahu also said his conversation with Trump included efforts to secure the release of around 100 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli state broadcaster Kan TV reported progress in negotiations but noted that no breakthrough had been reached as of Sunday. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)