Report: Israeli official in Cairo for Shalit talks
Saudi daily quotes source as saying that Hagai Hadas to meet Egyptian, German intelligence chiefs, adding that Israel-Hamas prisoner swap 'near completion'
Hagai Hadas, the Israeli official tasked with securing IDF soldier Gilad Shalit's release, arrived in Cairo for meetings with the Egyptian Intelligence chief Omar Suleiman and his German counterpart Ernest Uhrlau regarding a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas, the Saudi daily Al-Madina reported Sunday.
An Egyptian security source who is said to be familiar with the negotiations told the newspaper that a prisoner swap was "nearing completion," adding that "the remaining points of discussion pertain to the dispute between Israel and Hamas regarding the Palestinian prisoners and where they'll be release to: The West Bank, Gaza or someplace else."
The source said jailed former Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti was also a source of conflict in the talks.
The Saudi newspaper further reported that senior Egyptian officials resumed talks with representatives of Hamas' armed wing on Saturday.
"The talks with Ahmed Jabri (head of Hamas' military wing), who is responsible for Shalit's well-being, have been going on for two days now," the paper quoted the Egyptian security source as saying. "The Egyptian side presented him with a clear offer following discussions with the Israelis."
According to the source, following his meeting in Cairo Hadas will head back to Israel to meet with Netanyahu and a senior Israeli intelligence official to put the "final touches" on the Shalit agreement.
Earlier Sunday, the person in charge of the Shalit portfolio on behalf of Hamas, Dr. Osama al-Muzeini, said there has been progress ahead of a prisoner exchange deal with Israel, but that it was not satisfactory.
Al-Muzeini said reports that a prisoner exchange was around the corner were inaccurate. "There are still a number of phases that must be worked out before a deal is secured," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also tried to lower expectations, telling his cabinet, "We are not facing a breakthrough tomorrow of the day after. Talks about (an agreement on a prisoner exchange) are unfounded."
Shalit was kidnapped into Gaza on June 25, 2006.
