Israel's Defense Ministry closes its "Iranian Department"June 25, 2009 - 16:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Israel's Defense Ministry has decided to close its subdivision for Iranian affairs. The decision was made within the frames of budgetary curtailment program. The department's annual budget comprised USD 1 million. An "old-generation agency" headed by Uri Loubran and a confirmed opponent of military operations against Iran, the "Iranian" department maintained ties with Iranian diaspora representatives and mass media, and was in charge of broadcasting a Persian language program ("Voice of Israel") for Iran and South Lebanon. There are several Foreign and Defense Ministry subdivisions tackling Iranian problem in Israel. Information on nuclear facilities is collected by military and foreign intelligence services. Foreign Ministry conducts explanatory activities and maintains international contacts. And Loubaran's subdivision occupied its own place within the hierarchy. For several years, Loubran's assistant was former "Mosada" agent Iskhak Barziley who participated in secret operations in Europe and later - in Iran. After retirement, he continued to work for Iranian department, Haaretz reports. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |