PA newspaper: Finnish expert to mediate prisoner swap talks

[Behind the Aegis]

Palestinian newspaper 'al-Ayyam', which circulates in Ramallah, reported on Tuesday that an unnamed Finnish hostage crisis expert has taken on the role of mediator in the stalled negotiations between Hamas and Israel over the release of the Israel Defense Forces soldier Corporal Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Palestinian militants On June 25th.

According to 'al-Ayyam' the mediator has met with exiled Hamas leader, Khaled Meshal, in Damascus, and is concurrently in contact with Israeli representatives.

'Al-Ayyam' reports that the Hamas has demanded advance specification of the exact time at which the Palestinian prisoners will be released, and exactly how many. In response, the newspaper reports, Israel refused to give specific times and numbers, only stated that it is not opposed to releasing prisoners in the future.

Meshal reiterated on Monday, that Shalit will only be freed in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. In a press conference in Damascus he said "Olmert is the one holding Shalit - with his policy, his stubbornness."


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