Report: Netanyahu met with Arab leaders

JERUSALEM, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was on a secret visit to an Arab country Monday, seeking support in opposing Iran's nuclear program, sources say.

Israeli reporters asked where Netanyahu was Monday when he canceled scheduled interviews, and were told he was visiting a central Israel security facility with National Security Adviser Uzi Arad and his military secretary, Maj. Gen. Meir Kalifi.

But the Palestinian newspaper Al Manar quoted sources saying Netanyahu was actually in the capital of an unnamed Arab state with no diplomatic ties to Jerusalem, Ynetnews.com reported.

Al Manar reported that Netanyahu met there with officials from two Arab countries and urged their help in opposing Iran's nuclear ambitions. The report appeared after Netanyahu's office confirmed that he will leave next week for Egypt, where he will meet President Hosni Mubarak and possibly with Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman, Ynet said.

In meetings with Mubarak, the Israeli leader is expected to discuss restarting the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and the return of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, the Web site said.