BFF-19 Netanyahu to meet US secretary of state in Brussels

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BFF-19

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Netanyahu to meet US secretary of state in Brussels

JERUSALEM, Dec 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu will travel to Brussels on Monday, his office said, for a meeting
with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Netanyahu’s office said the meeting had been set last week, but provided
few other details.

“The two will discuss regional developments,” a statement from Netanyahu’s
office said, noting he will be accompanied by the head of Israeli spy agency
Mossad, the head of his national security council and his military secretary.

He was expected to leave Israel at around midday and meet this evening with
Pompeo, who will be in Brussels for a NATO meeting of foreign ministers on
Tuesday.

Netanyahu’s trip comes a day after police recommended indicting him and his
wife Sara for bribery and other offences, the third such move against him in
recent months.

The attorney general must now decide whether to indict Netanyahu, who
rejects the accusations against him in all three cases.

Israel and the United States have worked closely on a range of issues,
particularly regarding Iran.

Both have warned of Iran’s presence in Syria, which neighbours Israel.

Netanyahu has pledged to stop arch foe Iran from entrenching itself
militarily in Syria and to keep it from transferring advanced weapons to
Hezbollah in Lebanon.

President Donald Trump has pledged his unwavering support for Israel and
has pushed ahead with controversial policies such as moving the US embassy to
Jerusalem.

BSS/AFP/MR/ 1440 hrs