Israeli Defense Minister thanks Obama for security agreementJuly 29, 2012 - 11:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak thanked U.S. President Barack Obama for his decision to reinforce security and military cooperation with the Jewish state, his office said, according to AFP. "Mr Barak welcomes President Obama's decision to sign a law reinforcing cooperation in defense affairs between America and Israel, including the decision to grant an extra $70 million in aid towards the 'Iron Dome' project," his office said in a statement. "This new law... is a new expression of the ongoing support of the (Obama) administration and the U.S. Congress towards the security of the state of Israel," it added. Obama signed the law on Friday, July 27, surrounded in the Oval Office by representatives of the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC and by U.S. lawmakers. He said the law, which gives Israel preferential access to U.S. arms and munitions, "underscores our unshakable commitment to Israel's security." The U.S. leader also saluted the $70 million contribution this year to the Iron Dome missile defence system, designed to protect Israel against rocket attacks from Islamist militants in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. The project has received $205 million in U.S. funding since its inception. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |