Lieberman and Moratinos
Photo: AFP
FM: Israel, UN close to deal on Ghajar
Avigdor Lieberman meets top Spanish officials in Madrid, says solution to issue of northern village split between Israel and Lebanon nearing
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who is on an official visit to Madrid, met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos.
Lieberman said Israel and the UN were close to reaching an agreement regarding the northern village of Ghajar, whose territory is split between Israel and Lebanon.
"Israel has held five meetings with UN representatives so far. The disputed points are resolvable in a matter that could achieve a positive outcome, Lieberman said.
Addressing the Iranian threat, Lieberman urged the Spanish leadership to help curb the Islamic Republic's nuclear ambitions: "Spain, as the current president of the European Union, must take decisive steps to stop Iran's nuclear program and stop a Middle East arms race."
Tehran's nuclear program, he added, "Is far more advanced than the preemptive measures against it."
Lieberman and the Spanish officials also discussed the Mediterranean Summit set to take place in Barcelona. The foreign minister urged against allowing the conference to turn into a grappling between Israel and the Arab nations attending.
"The conference is about finding solutions to problems plaguing the quality of life in the Middle East – environmental issues, water management, and transportation – and not about political ramming," he said.
