Gates soothes Israel concerns over Arab arms deal

Occupied Jerusalem: US Defence Secretary Robert Gates yesterday tried to ease Israeli concerns about a planned American weapons sale to Gulf Arab allies, saying the US remains committed to preserving Israel's military edge over its neighbours.

Gates also said his 24-hour trip to Israel did not include any discussions on taking military action against Iran. He reiterated his belief that diplomacy is the best course of action for halting Iran's nuclear programme.

Israeli officials have objected to US plans to sell arms to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, fearing it would damage Israel's deterrent capabilities in the Middle East. The New York Times reported earlier this month that Washington has delayed the arms sale package because of the Israeli objections.

Speaking to reporters in Tel Aviv before his departure, Gates said he had urged Israeli leaders to look at the deal in terms of the "overall strategic environment" and stressed that Israel's neighbours have other alternatives for purchasing arms.

"I'm confident that the Russians would be very happy to sell weapons to countries in the region," he said. Gates said he affirmed the US will continue to help Israel maintain its qualitative military edge, but did not say whether the Saudi deal would go through.

Israel is worried about the transfer of advanced weaponry to Arab countries.

In particular, it objects to the planned sale of advanced air systems that would vastly upgrade the striking ability of Saudi warplanes, some of which could be stationed just several hundred kilometres from Israeli airspace. The US has been selling Israel such weapons since the 1990s.

The New York Times said the deal is meant to counter Iranian influence in the region.

Iran was high on the agenda during Gates's 24-hour visit to Israel, the third stop on a swing through the Mideast. The US and Israel accuse Iran of developing nuclear weapons - a charge Tehran denies.

Gates met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni yesterday, where the issue of Iran's nuclear programme was raised.

Livni said Iran is a threat not only to Israel, but to Arab nations in the Middle East.

"The free world is tested by the countries under threat from Iran, especially its Arab and Muslim neighbours."