By RIA Novosti
Tel Aviv : Israel’s Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrives in Moscow Thursday to discuss Iran’s nuclear ambitions and a peace conference on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the US later this year, the premier’s spokesperson said Wednesday.
Israel, anxious about Iran gaining access to unconventional weapons, has urged Russia to use its influence to help solve the international standoff surrounding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme. Tehran insists its programme is for civilian purposes.
Olmert’s visit takes place after President Vladimir Putin’s talks with the Iranian leader in Tehran, where he appeared to show support for the country’s nuclear efforts, saying they were in line with the non-proliferation regime.
During his previous visit to Moscow in October last year, Olmert secured the Kremlin’s assurances to step up control over Russian arms exports to prevent them from being sold to third countries. Tel Aviv claimed Islamic radicals in Lebanon had used Russian anti-tank missiles meant for Syria in attacks on Israel.
A proposed peace conference on the Middle East in the US in November or December is expected to result in a framework agreement on peace efforts.
The Israelis want the document to set out broad settlement principles, while Palestinians seek specific terms and conditions. Their differences threaten the success of the conference.
Talks between the Jewish state and the Palestinians were resumed when Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas broke with Hamas following the seizure of the Gaza Strip by the Islamist group, which left the president and his Fatah forces only in control of the West Bank.
The United States would like other key Arab states to attend the conference, but Arab nations are sceptical and have demanded more details.