Abbas: Free 'senior' prisoners
03/02/2005 17:37  - (SA)  

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Hamas ready for truce Abbas demands inmate release Israel to set prisoners free Palestinian hunger strike over Mass strike in Israeli jails 'Release minors from jail'

Ramallah - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said on Thursday he wanted Palestinians who have served long terms to be in the first round of prisoners Israel is to release next week.

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli cabinet ministers agreed to free 900 prisoners, including 500 who are to be released immediately after a Mideast summit in Egypt on Tuesday.

The remaining 400 are to be let go within three months.

"We don't know the real figures and what kind of prisoners they are going to release, but what we are interested in is that the first round be a big one and include a lot of prisoners, particularly those who have served long prison terms," Abbas told reporters.

Israel is holding an estimated 7 000 prisoners.

In Thursday's meeting, the Israeli ministers said prisoners convicted in attacks on Israelis would not be released.

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