JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Thursday to set up a joint anti-terrorism system in which real-time information will be shared, public radio reported. The two leaders took the decision during talks in Jerusalem, the radio said.

Mr Sharon held talks with the Russian head of state shortly after Mr Putin, the first Kremlin leader to pay an official visit to the Jewish state, met his Israeli counterpart, President Moshe Katsav.

“It was an incredible meeting and one which showed a truly historic intention (on the part of Russia) to change past policy towards the Middle East,” a senior source close to Mr Sharon said.

Mr Putin and Mr Sharon held private talks for an hour before sitting down for a 90-minute lunch, said the official.

At the outset of the meeting, Mr Sharon welcomed Mr Putin in Russian, telling him: “I would like you to know that here you are among friends,” adding that he believed the meeting would deepen relations between Israel and Russia.—AFP