Palestinian prisoners freed as Rice arrives in Middle East

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AFP) — Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners on Monday in a gesture to president Mahmud Abbas as US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in the region to spur US-backed peace talks.

The prisoners were welcomed by thousands of cheering supporters at an outdoor celebration at Abbas's headquarters in the West Bank political capital of Ramallah.

"The release of this group fills us with joy but we will not be satisfied until all prisoners are released, the 11,000 who are still waiting," Abbas told the crowd, referring to Palestinians still in Israeli jails.

"There will be no peace without the release of all our prisoners," he added.

The release took place just hours before Rice arrived on her 18th visit in two years aimed at...