US secretary of defense: We're committed to Israel's security
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Defense Minister Ehud Barak met in Washingon with US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. Barak's office issued a statement saying that the two officials "discussed all the strategic issues, the threats on Israel, Iran's nuclear program and maintaining Israel's advantage in regards to the scenarios of instability in the Middle East."
Panetta said he planned to visit Israel in October and clarified that Israel was an important ally and that the US was committed to its security. Barak thanked him and said that "Panetta is a true friend of Israel." (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)
