Israel to keep tight control on Syria border: PM

Jerusalem, Feb 17 (AFP) Israel will maintain close tabs on its border with Syria and only let people to cross in "exceptional circumstances," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today after seven injured Syrians were let in. "We will continue to watch over the border and prevent anyone from crossing it and entering Israel, except in a few isolated and exceptional circumstances -- each of which will be weighed on its own merit," Netanyahu told his outgoing cabinet. Israeli troops in the occupied Golan Heights yesterday allowed in seven people who were wounded in clashes on the Syrian side of the strategic plateau to cross the armistice line, taking them for treatment at a hospital in the northern town of Safed. All seven were taken to Ziv hospital where they were operated on, a spokeswoman told AFP. "One of them who arrived in critical condition is now in serious condition, but the others are less seriously wounded," Yael Shavit told AFP today. She said it was not the first time the hospital had treated Syrian nationals but refused to go into details. Neither the army nor the hospital would provide details on the nature of the injuries, or whether they were members of the Syrian military or the opposition forces. Yesterday, a military source told public radio Israel had prepared designated areas along the frontier to receive Syrian refugees under the auspices of the United Nations. Netanyahu said the tensions along Israel's frontier with Syria would be a key element of his talks with US President Barack Obama when he makes his first visit to Israel as president next month. (AFP) ASY 02172333 NNNN