JERUSALEM, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Wednesday that Israel will not allow Iranian foothold is Syria, commenting on Russian foreign minister's statement that Iran has a "legitimate" presence in the war-torn country.
Lieberman's remarks were the first official Israeli response to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's a statement on Tuesday.
The hawkish politician, leader of Israel Our Home party, said that Israel considers itself free to carry out military operations in Syria.
"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is ready and well prepared for any scenario, we maintain complete freedom of operations," Lieberman said after a two-day tour alongside Israel's northern border.
"We will not allow Iranian entrenchment in Syria, nor will we allow Syria to become a frontline against the Israel. Those who have yet to understand it, should understand it now," he said.
Israel has been following with anxiety the U.S.-Russian efforts to achieve a cease-fire in southern Syria. According to Israel, Iran and its proxies, primarily the Lebanese-based Shiite militia of Hezbollah, are establishing a permanent military presence in Syria, and endangering the Jewish state.
Israel has long lobbied the U.S. and Russia, requesting to avoid an Iranian foothold in Syria in the context of a possible peace agreement.
Israel and Syria share a disputed border in the Golan Heights, a territory that Israel seized from Syria in the 1976 Middle East War and annexed it later.
Israel has been carrying out occasional airstrikes against Syrian army position, usually in response to errant fire from the six-year war between the Bashar Assad regime and rebel groups.
