MINSK, July 17. /TASS/. Russia and the United States have done their utmost to make sure that Israel’s security interests are fully taken into account while establishing a de-escalation zone in southern Syria, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters following meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on Monday.

According to Lavrov, Moscow and Washington carried out preparatory work on a ceasefire in southern Syria with all parties concerned, including Israel. "I can guarantee that the American side and we did the best we can to make sure that Israel’s security interests are fully taken into consideration," Russia’s top diplomat stressed.

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported on Monday citing a senior Israeli official that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron that Israel opposes the Russian-US plan on a ceasefire in southern Syria, as it will make it possible for Iran to expand its presence in the region.

An agreement on securing a truce in southern Syria was reached at a meeting between Russian and US Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg on July 7. Netanyahu earlier said that Israel will welcome a genuine ceasefire in Syria.