INTERNATIONAL NEWS - Embattled US President Donald Trump faced explosive allegations yesterday that he divulged top-secret intelligence to Russian diplomats in the Oval Office, a charge the White House scrambled to rebut.
The Washington Post reported late on Monday that Trump revealed highly classified information on the Islamic State group during a meeting last week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Moscow’s man in Washington, Sergey Kislyak.
The intelligence reportedly came from a US ally which did not authorise Washington to share it with Moscow.
National Security Advisor HR McMas- ter denied the president had revealed intelligence sources or methods, but acknowledged that Trump and Lavrov “reviewed a range of common threats to our two countries, including threats to civil aviation”.
In a tweet yesterday, Trump insisted he had the right to share facts with Russia, saying he acted to help Moscow in its fight against Isis and terrorism.
“As president I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled WH meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining to terrorism and airline flight safety,” he wrote.
