Israeli government confirms prisoner swap with Hizbollah

10.20am


JERUSALEM - Israel's government confirmed today that an unspecified number of Arab prisoners would be exchanged in return for an Israeli civilian and the bodies of three soldiers.

"In exchange for the return of the kidnapped Israelis the State of Israel will release prisoners from their places of detention in Israeli territory," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

The statement thanked the German government, but did not mention the Lebanese Hizbollah guerrilla organisation, with which Israel had negotiated through German mediation.

- REUTERS