Taghribnews (TNA) - Israeli delegation in US for Syria talks

A senior Israeli delegation has visited the White House to discuss recent developments in the Middle East - including the Syrian issue.

US National Security Advisor Susan Rice on Monday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top national security advisor, retired major general Yaakov Amidror.

The talks come as the US is preparing for a possible attack on Syria, where American authorities say the government crossed a ‘red line’ last week when it used chemical arms in its fight against militants. Damascus rejected the allegation, saying the armed groups launched the alleged chemical attack that killed hundreds of civilians.

On Sunday, Israeli President Shimon Peres called for an international action against the Syrian government. Israel has put its own military on high alert.

The US and its Western allies may launch a military strike against Syria, and the talks are set to coordinate a joint preparation for such an attack, Israeli newspaper Haaretz said Monday.

According to the newspaper, Amidror, who led the delegation, was joined by Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Gilad, head of the diplomatic security department at the Defense Ministry; Nimrod Shefer, head of the Israel Defense Forces planning department; Itai Baron, head of the research division in Military Intelligence; Jeremy Issacharoff, head of the strategy department in the Foreign Ministry, and senior officials from the Shin Bet.

Israel’s Ambassador to Washington Michael Oren was also set to join the talks, the paper said.

US National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the officials would also discuss Iran’s nuclear energy program and the Egyptian unrest among “a range of other regional security issues.”

HK