Bethlehem - Ma‘an - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Israeli TV Channel One on Thursday that he has reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over the past days on a formula to release the captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.
Abbas added in the interview that he has ‘reached an agreement which includes direct dialogue with the Egyptians.‘ This agreement will be ‘approved by all sides,‘ Abbas said, ‘including the factions which detained the Israeli soldier.‘ He ensured that the case of the captured soldier is progressing quickly towards a final outcome.
In a different regard, Abbas added that there is still a possibility of reaching an agreement with Olmert for a two-state solution. They also discussed the possibility of a mutual ceasefire.