Germany's role in Israel-Hizbullah prisoner swap
Lebanon-Israel-Germany, Politics, 8/28/2006

Iran's Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has denied an Egyptian news report about a German role in an imminent prisoner swap between Israel and Lebanon's Islamic resistance Hizbullah, DPA reported today.

There is no basis for such relevant reports, said Steinmeier after a meeting with his Israeli counterpart Zipi Livni in Berlin.

He added, "We are not in such a situation." Steinmeier pointed out that there had been no request from Israel and Hizbullah for such a prisoner swap.

Egypt's government-owned daily al-Ahram reported over the weekend on a German-brokered deal between Israel and Hizbullah which is to take place within the next three weeks.

Germany played a lead role in a prisoner swap in a January 2004 agreement which saw Israel exchange some 429 Arab prisoners for the release of an Israeli businessman captured by Hizbullah and the remains of three soldiers.

Previous Stories:
  German defense minister backs Italian lead role of UN Lebanon force   (8/22/2006)
  Merkel vows no combat troops for UN mission in Lebanon   (8/18/2006)
  Muslims stage anti-Israel rally in Germany   (8/5/2006)
  German Chancellor: Arad is not alive   (10/26/2004)
  Hizbullah denies halting of negotiations with Israel over hostages, efforts to release al-Qintar, other prisoners   (8/2/2004)
  Nearby agreement to release al-Qintar   (5/5/2004)
  Hizbullah starts exchanging prisoners with Israel   (1/29/2004)
  Israel publishes names of released prisoners according to prisoners exchange agreement   (1/28/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search