Israeli PM Repeats Demand for Release of Captured SoldiersIsraeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Tuesday demanded again that the three Israeli soldiers kidnapped by Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas be released immediately.Speaking at a joint press conference with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Barak once again held Syria, the main power broker in Lebanon, responsible for the solution to the crisis and the safe return of the soldiers. Annan, together with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, met with Palestinian National Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat earlier Tuesday. During the meeting, Annan presented Arafat a set of proposals aimed at ending the dragging Israeli-Palestinian bloody clashes, which have so far claimed the lives of nearly 90 people, mostly Palestinians, and injured 2,000 others. For his part, Annan said it is the responsibility of every one to calm down the situation while calling for parties concerned to return to negotiating table to solve the issues such as the three Israeli soldiers. He also vowed to do what he can to work together with Barak and Arafat to move the peace process forward. |
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