Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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July 16, 2007

Olmert, Abbas Meet to Discuss Support for West Bank Government
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=182956D:A6F02AD83191E16065DF4817479B536C9574F7DCC14957C0 Israel to free 250
Fatah prisoners from Israeli jails





Israeli PM Ehud Olmert, left, with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas,
at Olmert's Jerusalem residence, 16 Jul 2007

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has told Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas that Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners by the
end of the week.

A spokesman for Mr. Olmert says the prisoner release will take place
on Friday. He says the prisoners have all been convicted on charges of
terrorism, but he says none have "blood on their hands."

The two leaders met in Jerusalem Monday for talks on a package of
security compromises in support of Mr. Abbas's moderate West
Bank-based government.

In related news, White House officials say President Bush plans to
speak later today about U.S. financial and diplomatic support for the
Abbas government.

Mr. Abbas set up the government after the militant group Hamas seized
control of the Gaza Strip in mid-June. 

Israel and the international community back Mr. Abbas in his struggle
against Hamas.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.




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