Frattini: Israel prepared to release prisoners in return for Shalit

[ 25/11/2010 - 09:39 AM ]

BEIT LAHIA, (PIC)-- Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini told a press conference in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday that Israel was willing to release Palestinian prisoners in return for the freedom of its captured soldier Gilad Shalit.

He said that the release of Shalit would be considered a goodwill gesture.

The Italian chief diplomat said that his country wanted to extend economic assistance to the Palestinians in all fields, adding that Rome had always sought to solve the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

Frattini said that many Palestinian businessmen were trying to create opportunities for development.

He said that the improvement in the Gaza commercial crossings was not enough and that Israel has to do more in this regard.

The international projects in Gaza were in need of construction material, Frattini undlerined, adding that Gaza was in need of 100 new schools while Israel had only allowed the construction of seven, "which is not enough".

He hoped that Gaza exports to the West Bank and the world at large would increase.

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