Remains, Prisoners May Be Exchanged

Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah said it was close to exchanging the remains of Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon last year for the release of at least 100 Lebanese prisoners and bodies of Lebanese fighters. A source close to Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said that talks were underway but that it was premature to discuss specifics. But the Shiite Muslim guerrilla group Amal said it will not return remains it holds of an Israeli soldier, complicating the reported deal. The moves are the latest in Red Cross attempts to trade Lebanese prisoners held by Israel for the remains of possibly two Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon during a botched commando raid in September.