Israel, US inaugurate 1st American base on Israeli soil

Jerusalem: Israeli and US military officers inaugurated the first permanent American military base in Israel, media reports said.

"The stationing of a US contingent within the confines of an existing Israeli air base does not contradict Israel's commitment to demonstrating military self-sufficiency," Efe news quoted the country's Air defence chief Zvika Haimovich as saying.

The creation of the US installation at the Bislach base in southern Israel shows the region that "we are working together with the largest army in the world," he said.

Several dozen US service-members will be stationed at Bislach, Haimovich said, adding that the process of setting up the American station went smoothly thanks to the close, cordial relations between the respective militaries.