Carter: Hamas Keen to Discuss Shalit Swap with Israel

21/10/2010 Former US President Jimmy Carter said on Thursday that Hamas activists are "very eager" to resume talks with Israel over a prisoner exchange which could see captured soldier Gilad Shalit being freed.

"They let us know... they are very eager to proceed," Carter told reporters in occupied Jerusalem several days after meeting Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip.

"They are very glad that the German negotiator has been back on the scene lately and that Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu has made some positive statements about a prisoner exchange."

Carter, on a visit with a delegation of retired world figures called The Elders, said he had urged the group "to do everything they could to expedite the exchange of prisoners" so that Shalit could return home.

"They maintained that they are very eager to have a swap but they are demanding the release of some prisoners that are not acceptable to the Israeli negotiators," he said.

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