Israel denies intention to release Lebanese prisoner

The spokesman for the Israeli army has denied the assertion made by the Lebanese daily Assafir in its Monday issue that Israel will release the Lebanese detainee Muhammad Abbas al-Barzawi shortly, who is held in the Israeli jails since 1987.

The Israeli radio on Monday quoted Assafir in its Monday's issue that al-Barzawi suffers very bad health conditions.

However, Assafir said that Israel will release al-Barzawi and considered that as the first practical sign to resuming negotiations with the Hizbullah Party on the exchange of prisoners and detainees held by the two sides.

Assafir also said that this step comes following a shuttle tour made by the German mediator who follows the file between Israel and Lebanon.