By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : The Israeli media Monday said that Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak’s visit to Washington is of significant strategic importance.
Radio Israel reported that Barak will discuss the Iranian nuclear programme with US senior officials and would urge them to “spare no effort” to bring a halt to this Iranian activity.
This comes amid reports Israel is showing special interest in purchasing US “Palanx” cannons to combat short-range missiles and mortar shells to defend Sdeort in particular and other residential areas near Gaza.
Barak is to meet US Vice President Richard B. Cheney, National Security Advisor Steve Hadley, Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates, as well as Chairman of Joint Staff of the US Armed Forces Admiral Michael Moulin.
He is also to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the radio said.
Israeli Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz along with Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni are also scheduled to pay a similar visit to Washington sometime this week.