US downplays Netanyahu no-show at nuclear summit

The White House downplayed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's canceled trip to Washington for a nuclear summit next week amid growing tensions between the two close allies.

White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer simply said the Israeli government "has informed us" of the decision to send his deputy, Intelligence and Atomic Energy Minister Dan Meridor instead of Netanyahu to the nuclear security summit of 47 nations."We welcome Deputy Prime Minister Meridor's participation in the conference. Israel is a close ally and we look forward to continuing to work closely on issues related to nuclear security," Hammer said. (AFP)