U.S. President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israeli Occupation should begin withdrawing its forces from Syria and urged him to take a similar step in Lebanon, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

Axios quoted a U.S. official as saying Trump viewed the Israeli military presence in both countries as a source of tension and escalation.

Netanyahu’s office, however, said the Israeli prime minister stressed during the call the importance of maintaining security zones along the border.