Shalit 'may be freed soon'
2007-03-22 18:53
Jerusalem - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah said in an interview on Thursday he was hopeful that a captured Israeli soldier held by militants in Gaza would be released soon.
Abbas said a "framework" was agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that would clear the way for Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit's release but Abbas offered no details.
Abbas has made similar comments in the past but it is unclear how close Shalit is to being freed.
Abbas said: "We agreed recently on a framework with Olmert to solve the problem of Shalit, in agreement with the Egyptians, and this process is happening quickly.
"I hope his release will come quickly. I believe now it is accepted and everybody is working towards that."
Militant groups, including Hamas, seized corporal Shalit last June in a cross border raid on Gaza's border with southern Israel.
- Reuters