Noam Shalit, father of captive soldier
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Sarkozy, sent letter to Shalits
Photo: AP
French ambassador: We'll work to have Shalit released
Christophe Bigot visits Shalit family as part of efforts to secure captured son's release, gives family letter from President Nicolas Sarkozy marking Gilad's birthday last week, says French gov't 'ready, willing to act in any way to bring about Gilad's release, get sign of life'
French Ambassador to Israel, Christophe Bigot met with Noam Shalit, father of captive soldier Gilad Shalit, on Friday and told him the French government "is ready and willing to act in any way" to bring about his son's release.
Bigot met with the Shalit family at their home in Mitzpe Hila, as part of the French government's efforts to aid securing the release of the captive soldier, who holds French citizenship.
Warm Letter
AFP and Ali Waked
French president sends letter to kidnapped soldier's parents ahead of their son's birthday to assure them that his country will continue to work for his release
The ambassador brought the family a letter from French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in honor of Gilad's birthday.
"On this August 28, on Gilad's 23rd birthday, my thoughts are will you and your son," the letter read, and stated that Shalit's captivity by Hamas is unacceptable.
- To read Sarkozy's letter in French click here
At the end of the meeting, Bigot said his country would leave no stone unturned in efforts for secure Shalit's release.
"The French government is ready and willing to act in any way, in any channel and with whoever it takes to bring about Gilad's release and get a sign of life from him," Bigot said.
He added that he was in contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's envoy in the matter, Hagai Hadas.
In recent weeks there have been a number of reports of progress in a prisoner exchange deal that would secure the soldier's release. Thursday it was reported the Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal was scheduled to head a Hamas delegation to Egypt on Saturday.
Palestinian sources told a Palestinian website that a prisoner exchange deal with Israel would be on the agenda in talks, and that this visit may "intensify efforts towards the deal's completion".
The sources said there was no meeting planned between Mashaal and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who will also be in Cairo.
Gilad Shalit was captured into the Gaza Strip 1,167 days ago
