Newspapers Report Secret Talks to Free Lebanon Hostages
Newspapers in London and Israel said Wednesday that secret talks are going on for a major swap that would free foreign hostages in Lebanon in exchange for 400 Arab prisoners.
Lebanese Shia Amal leader Nabih Berri said there are no talks yet but that indications are positive.
Berri, who is also Lebanon’s justice minister, proposed Feb. 7 that Israel free 400 Arab prisoners. In return, Amal would return a captured Israeli airman, and a Muslim extremist organization would free four kidnaped educators--three Americans and an Indian--it has threatened to kill.
The Israeli newspaper Davar reported that Israel and the United States are negotiating a multinational deal to free all 25 captives held in Lebanon by pro-Syrian and pro-Iranian groups, with Israel freeing 400 Arabs.
The Times of London said Wednesday that a “wide-ranging deal” is in the works involving the four educators, the Israeli airman and Arab prisoners.
It said the negotiations followed “months of secret contacts between the Israelis and guerrilla leaders in southern Lebanon” through the Red Cross.
In Washington, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater insisted anew that the United States is not involved in talks with Israel about hostages.
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