Obama in secret talks with Netanyahu over Syria

U.S. President Barack Obama has called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday and informed him that he planned to delay what seemed like an imminent attack on Syria, ahead of his speech at the White House to that regard.

Obama also told Netanyahu that he would relegate the matter to Congress, and ask for a congressional vote on any military action, according to Haaretz.

Senior Israeli officials who asked to remain nameless stated that the phone call took place roughly four hours before Obama's speech.

In contrast to phone calls made to other world leaders, the White House decided to keep this specific call between Netanyahu and Obama a secret, and not make any announcements to the press.

The Prime Minister's office also made no mention of the phone call. White House and the PMO responded to Haaretz inquiries with the same answer: "No comment."

Senior Israeli officials stated that the talk between Obama and Netanyahu was aimed at coordinating next moves regarding Syria.