Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman asked Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Tuesday to use his ties with Russia to strengthen Moscow's current position on sanctioning Tehran, DPA reported.
Lieberman also requested Berlusconi, with whom he held talks in Jerusalem, to use his influence with Russia to stop it from selling arms to Tehran, an Israeli foreign ministry communique said.
Israel regards Iran its its biggest existential threat, because of Tehran's reputed nuclear weapons programme, and repeated statements by Iranian leaders that the Jewish state should be wiped off the map.
Iran's support for militant groups which do not recognise Israel's right to exist has also angered Jerusalem, and Lieberman asked Italy to play a central role in advancing international legislation which would allow democratic countries to fight terrorism.
According to the Israeli minister, international law is currently suited to regualr armies fighting each other, but does not allow a democracy to defend itself effectively against terror attacks.
Israeli FM asks Berlusconi to influence Russia on Iran sanctions
