“Israeli” Intelligence Chief Visits US: Lays Regional Fears on the Table
Local Editor
During a visit to both, Washington and the UN in New York two weeks ago, "Israeli" Military Intelligence Commander Major General Aviv Kochavi discussed the Iranian nuclear programme, the Syrian crisis, and Hizbullah's increasing power base in Lebanon, reported the "Israeli" Haaretz newspaper on Wednesday.
This visit is one of several recent visits to the US by "Israeli" senior military and political figures.
In Washington, Kochavi met senior officials representing the White House and the State Department along with officials of the CIA and the Defense Department.
According to the source, Iran and its nuclear file were the central topic of discussion in the Washington meetings. Also, the situation in Syria and Lebanon were discussed.
On Syria, a European diplomat, briefing the discussions, highlighted that Kochavi believes its best for "Israel" to have the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad removed from office. He quoted the "Israeli" official as assuring that toppling the Syrian regime suits "Israel's" interests.
"Israel" believes Assad's fate is sealed, and the only question is how long his regime will last before it is eventually toppled, Kochavi said, according to the diplomat, who also reiterated that the "Israeli" intelligence community has changed its stance on Syria and now sees the Jewish state as "better off" if Assad's regime was toppled.
As for the resistance movement in Lebanon, the military intelligence chief warned against what he described "the rising strength of Hizbullah" particularly in South Lebanon. The recent changes in the UNIFIL makeup was part of the discussions too.
Expressing worries over UNIFIL soldiers deployed from Muslim countries such as Indonesia, Kochavi said "Israel" fears these soldiers will not take action as needed against Hizbullah.
Source: Haaretz, edited by moqawama.org
During a visit to both, Washington and the UN in New York two weeks ago, "Israeli" Military Intelligence Commander Major General Aviv Kochavi discussed the Iranian nuclear programme, the Syrian crisis, and Hizbullah's increasing power base in Lebanon, reported the "Israeli" Haaretz newspaper on Wednesday.
This visit is one of several recent visits to the US by "Israeli" senior military and political figures.In Washington, Kochavi met senior officials representing the White House and the State Department along with officials of the CIA and the Defense Department.
According to the source, Iran and its nuclear file were the central topic of discussion in the Washington meetings. Also, the situation in Syria and Lebanon were discussed.
On Syria, a European diplomat, briefing the discussions, highlighted that Kochavi believes its best for "Israel" to have the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad removed from office. He quoted the "Israeli" official as assuring that toppling the Syrian regime suits "Israel's" interests.
"Israel" believes Assad's fate is sealed, and the only question is how long his regime will last before it is eventually toppled, Kochavi said, according to the diplomat, who also reiterated that the "Israeli" intelligence community has changed its stance on Syria and now sees the Jewish state as "better off" if Assad's regime was toppled.
As for the resistance movement in Lebanon, the military intelligence chief warned against what he described "the rising strength of Hizbullah" particularly in South Lebanon. The recent changes in the UNIFIL makeup was part of the discussions too.
Expressing worries over UNIFIL soldiers deployed from Muslim countries such as Indonesia, Kochavi said "Israel" fears these soldiers will not take action as needed against Hizbullah.
Source: Haaretz, edited by moqawama.org
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