MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax) - The Kremlin has denied reports that the United States' decision to withdraw its troops from Syria was a result of some agreements with Moscow to contain the activities of Iran and the Lebanese radical Shia movement Hezbollah in Syria.
"No, this is not so," the Russian president's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said, according to the Vedomosti newspaper.
Earlier on Friday the Israel Hayom newspaper reported, citing Jordanian officials, that agreements with Russia that its forces in Syria would take steps to restrain Iranian and Hezbollah activities in that country had prepared ground for Washington's decision to withdraw troops from Syria.
The relevant understanding was reached during Russia's "behind-the-scenes diplomatic talks" with representatives from Israel, Jordan, U.S. and Saudi Arabia, the newspaper said.