Schroeder promises Barak to exert efforts for releasing the Israeli soldiers in Lebanon

In the fifth station of his Middle East tour, the German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder promised during his visit to Israel on Tuesday to exert all efforts for the release of the three Israeli soldiers and the One Israeli Mossad officer agent held by Hizbullah party in Lebanon.

Schroeder stressed the need of implementing the agreement reached two weeks ago in Sharm esh Sheikh in order to end the continued tension in the Middle East.

Following talks which lasted one hour with the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak in Jerusalem, Schroeder said that his country will exert all possible efforts to help in releasing the Israeli military men who are held by Hizbullah in Lebanon. He said: " Please tell the families of these soldiers that Germany wants to help them and will spare no efforts, but we do not have to exaggerate our optimism over chances of success.. Violence should stop. And this is what I say to sides concerned. We have to return back to the table of negotiations."

Barak thanked Germany for its efforts exerted in recent years especially in recent time in matters already pointed out by Schroeder. He said that the visit of Chancellor Schroeder is of great importance.

He is visiting capitals of the region. He visited Jordan, Lebanon and Syria and he will visit the Palestinians. And therefore, "I believe that this visit will help him understand all sides in the region and to work for stopping violence immediately."

Barak added " Israel is in a battle for the right of the Israelis to live as free people in this country. Therefore we have the right to defend ourselves and soldiers but we, at the same time extend our hands for peace to our neighbors."