PM Olmert: Hope deal with Hezbollah will lead to soldiers' release

The main item of Israel-related coverage in the UK media today are the negotiations between Israel and Hezbollah that led yesterday to the return of the body of an Israeli that was held by Hezbollah, and of a Hezbollah prisoner held by Israel. In other news, the Guardian, Scotsman and Reuters focus on US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's visit to the region. The Guardian, along with the Times, also notes a hawkish statement by Democratic Presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton on the need to oppose Iranian nuclear ambitions. The Independent, meanwhile, reports a statement by PM Olmert in the Knesset yesterday hinting at a possible readiness for the division of Jerusalem in future negotiations with the Palestinians. The Financial Times has pieces on a move within the EU to tighten sanctions against Iran, and warnings from Moscow against ‘intimidating' Teheran. Reuters, the Daily Telegraph and BBC Online also note yesterday's remarks by UN envoy John Dugard, in which he recommended that the UN withdraw from the Quartet and expressed understanding for Palestinian terror activities.

In the Israeli media, all papers focus on yesterday's exchange between Israel and Hezbollah. In addition, all papers note a report in a Lebanese paper that the exchange included materials written by missing IAF navigator Ron Arad. Haaretz, in addition, notes Likud attempts to secure the withdrawal from the coalition of Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu, following PM Olmert's remarks on Jerusalem yesterday. The Jerusalem Post, meanwhile, reports on Secretary of Sate Rice's meeting with Minister for Strategic Affairs Avigdor Lieberman yesterday. The paper also notes remarks by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates yesterday on the need for a strong international effort to foil the Iranian nuclear programme. Ynetnews has an additional article on a visit to the US by Defence Minister Ehud Barak.

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