27/02/2010 Israel is urging the United States to freeze its decision to send a new envoy to Syria, in the wake of this week's tripartite meeting between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, according to a report Saturday in London-based Arabic daily As-Sharq Al-Awsat.
According to the report, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and an aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu both made the request during meetings with US officials in Washington this week.
The report added that Israeli officials made the request after witnessing Assad's public defiance of US calls to curb its ties with Iran this week.
Assad said his long-standing alliance with Tehran remains strong despite overtures from Washington intended to shift his loyalties. With Ahmadinejad by his side, Assad told America not to dictate relationships in the Middle East.
"I find it strange how they talk about Middle East stability and at the same time talk about dividing two countries," Assad told reporters when asked about Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's call on Wednesday for Syria to move away from Iran.
River to Sea
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