Israel to free prisoners to boost Abbas in peace talks

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel said on Wednesday that it will release Palestinian prisoners later this month as a "gesture of goodwill" to president Mahmud Abbas as part of US-backed peace talks.

"Israel will be releasing Palestinian prisoners towards the end of August as a gesture of goodwill towards the Palestinians in response to a request by Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas," government spokesman Mark Regev said.

"We hope this gesture will help the peace process," the spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told reporters after the latest meeting between the two leaders.

Senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat told AFP Wednesday's meeting was "successful" and that Israel had agreed to release more than 150 Palestinian prisoners by the end of the...