US officials refuse to confirm foreknowledge of Syria strike
Senior US defense officials interviewed by CNN refused to confirm that the United States was aware in advance of the airstrike in Syria last week, ascribed by foreign media outlets to Israel.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta refused to discuss the Syria incident but expressed concerns regarding terrorists acquiring chemical weapons and SA-17 missiles. Commenting on the Israeli Military Intelligence chief's visit to the Pentagon last week Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey said it was in preparation of IDF chief Benny Gantz's US visit. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)
