TEL AVIV, September 9 (RIA Novosti) - Israel's Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper alleged on Wednesday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to Moscow earlier this week, where he discussed Russia's arms deals with Iran.
The Israeli prime minister's office denied the report, saying Netanyahu has not left the country this week.
The paper did not give a source for the information.
The report focuses on a gap in Netanyahu's schedule on Monday, when he was seen leaving his office in the morning, but his whereabouts were not officially publicized. A Palestinian newspaper reported that the premier had left on a visit to an Arab state with no diplomatic ties with Israel.
The prime minster's military secretary later announced Netanyahu had visited an Israeli security facility, the Ynet news portal said.
The paper noted the warming of ties between Russia and Israel, believed to be linked to Israel's decision to end sales of tanks and drones to Georgia following Russian pressure.
Last month Israeli President Shimon Peres discussed Russia's arms deals with Iran at a meeting with President Dmitry Medvedev in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Peres said Medvedev "gave a promise he will reconsider the sales of S-300s [advanced air defense systems to Iran] because it affects the delicate balance which exists in the Middle East."
