Annan to mediate over release of Israeli soldiers

UN chief Kofi Annan has agreed to mediate in efforts for the release of two abducted Israeli soldiers after requests from both Hezbollah and Israel, Annan’s spokesman said today.

It would be the first time that Israel has publicly agreed to indirect contacts with the Lebanese guerrilla group over winning the release of the two soldiers, snatched in a cross-border raid on July 12.

Israel has insisted it wants an unconditional release of the soldiers, but Hezbollah has said it would only free them as part of a swap for Arab prisoners held by Israel.

The spokesman, Ahmad Fawzi, would not comment on whether Annan’s mediation would focus on proposals for a swap. “The secretary-general has accepted to play a role as mediator in the matter of the abducted soldiers,” Fawzi said.

“They have both requested mediation,” he said, referring to Hezbollah and Israel.