Sharon may free militants to push peace

ISRAELI Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is considering releasing some Islamic militant prisoners to advance a US-backed “road map” to peace with the Palestinians, Israeli diplomatic sources said yesterday.

Mr Sharon has freed some Palestinian prisoners in recent weeks but has refused to release any militants. The Palestinians want him to do so to show his commitment to peace efforts.

Mr Sharon and Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas hope to make progress on the prisoners issue at a meeting next week before each travels to Washington for separate talks with US President George W Bush, whose increased role in peacemaking has fuelled cautious optimism.