Israel Hezbollah to hold prisoner exchange in 3 weeks

[Memorex]

The Egyptian state-run daily Al-Ahram reports that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to terms on a prisoner exchange for the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, Israel Radio reported on Sunday.

According to the report, senior Egyptian officials have told the paper that the exchange is to take place in two to three weeks' time, and is mediated by Germany.

The sources said that the parties are currently negotiating the framework of the deal, and that the main points of contention are the prisoners' order of release as well as the number and identity of the Lebanese prisoners Israel is to release.

The sources told Al-Ahram that it has not yet been agreed whether Goldwasser and Regev would be released first, and a day or two later Israel would release Lebanese prisoners according to a list provided by Hezbollah, or whether the exchange is to take place concurrently.

The report does not mention any of the names of Lebanese prisoners considered for release.

Al-Ahram also reports that once the prisoners exchange with Hezbollah is completed, the Lebanese militant group would signal the Palestinians that a deal for the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, abducted by Palestinian militants on the Gaza border, can be secured.

Beilin: Abbas 'not optimistic' on imminent release of Shalit
Following his meeting with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, Meretz chairman Yossi Beilin said Sunday that Abbas is not "very optimistic" on the prospects of securing a deal soon for the release of Shalit.

Speaking on Israel Radio, Beilin said that Abbas has been involved in two attempts to release Shalit from his abductors, but both have failed. Beilin said "[Abbas] has told me he is currently involved in a third attempt to bring for [Shalit's] release, and that he hopes this attempt succeeds."

When asked on Abbas' opinion on the chances that Shalit would be released soon, Beilin said "I must admit he didn't sound very optimistic."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/755225.html