Germany mediates for the release of three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by the Hizbullah

Western diplomatic sources told the London - based al-Hayat daily in its Friday's issue that the German chancellor Gerhard Shroeder asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to mediate with Hizbullah in order to release the three Israeli soldiers, but the Syrian President answered " we do not have links to this issue."

The sources added that President al-Assad told Chancellor Shroeder that Berlin can directly contact the Hizbullah party with who it maintains good relations.

He added that Israel should exert greater efforts to restore back the three soldiers, after President al-Assad has said that the Hizbullah party is responsible for its decision and Syria has no links to any decision taken by the Hizbullah.