NETANYAHU: ISRAEL WON’T TOLERATE IRANIAN BASES IN LEBANON, SYRIA:

PM Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that Israel opposes the USA-Russian-brokered cease-fire in Syria because it perpetuates Iran’s military presence in the country. He told French President Emmanuel Macron that Iran wants to establish air, land and sea bases in Lebanon, something Jerusalem cannot tolerate. He warned that in addition to Hezbollah’s presence in Lebanon, the Hamas terrorist group is also attempting to gain a foothold there. The Israeli leader asked France – which has a close relationship with Lebanon – to use its influence there to work against efforts to turn the country into a base for more terrorist organizations. Netanyahu said he also raised the issue of Iran’s efforts to establish a permanent base in Syria, saying he was opposed to the agreement reached earlier this month between Russia and the USA regarding a cease-fire in Syria because, while it removes Iranian forces 20 kilometers from Israel’s border, it perpetuates Iran’s military presence in the country. Jerusalem maintains that Iran is keen on establishing ground and air bases there, something that could radically change the situation in the region. He said that Israel would oppose any agreement in Syria that enables a permanent Iranian military presence there. (J.Post)