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                   Putin, Netanyahu Hold Syria-Focused Talks

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel and Russia can
   work together to make the Middle East more stabile and secure.
   Mr. Netanyahu`s comments came Tuesday in Sochi as Russian President
   Vladimir Putin welcomed him for talks focused on the situation in
   Syria.
   Israel and Western powers are concerned about potential Russian sales
   of advanced anti-aircraft weapons to Syria, which would complicate any
   possible airstrikes against President Bashar al-Assad`s forces.
   Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week his government is
   completing arms sales to Syria under existing contracts, but did not
   say if advanced S-300 missile batteries were included.
   The talks come as efforts continue to arrange an international peace
   conference on Syria, which Russia and the United States proposed last
   week.
   President Putin has discussed with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry
   and British Prime Minister David Cameron the plan for bringing together
   delegates from the Syrian government and rebels opposed to Mr. Assad.
   It is not clear if either side would take part.
   Syria`s state-run SANA news agency carried comments Tuesday from
   Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi saying the government needs more
   details before making a decision. He also said Syria will not take part
   in any dialogue that infringes on its sovereignty.
   The situation in Syria will remain a prominent focus of talks later in
   the week, as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travels to
   meet with Russian officials.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/putin-netanyahu-hold-syriafocused-tal
   ks/1660534.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/putin-netanyahu-hold-syriafocused-talks/1660534.html