Sharon to seek prisoner swap approval

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is to ask his Cabinet to approve an emerging deal to swap prisoners with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, signalling that months of negotiations could be coming to an end.

The Cabinet will be asked to approve the deal at its meeting on Sunday, said Sharon’s office.

The premier has said he will not carry out the swap, which has been shrouded by controversy and uncertainty, without the Cabinet’s approval.

Under the emerging deal, Israel would hand over 400 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners in exchange for an Israeli businessman, Elhanan Tannenbaum, and the bodies of three soldiers.

Information about the fate of missing airman Ron Arad – who was shot down over Lebanon in 1986 – is also expected to be included in the deal, according to Israeli media reports.