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Jordan negotiates with Israel the release of 81 prisoners
Amman, Nov 08: Jordan has said that Israel agreed to release 25 Jordanians being held in Israeli jails, but Amman believes the number is `insufficient` and wants another 56 captives freed.
Amman, Nov 08: Jordan has said that Israel agreed to release 25 Jordanians being held in Israeli jails, but Amman believes the number is "insufficient" and wants another 56 captives freed.
"There's an (Israeli) approval to release 25 prisoners," state minister Asma Khader told the media yesterday.
"The Jordanian government believes that this number is insufficient and insists on the release of the remaining prisoners, especially the four arrested before the signing of the peace treaty." Israel is insisting on holding onto four Jordanians convicted of killing Israelis before the two neighbours signed a 1994 peace treaty, Jordanian officials have said.
There was no immediate comment from Israel. But Amman-based Israeli Embassy officials have previously confirmed that negotiations had been ongoing and that an agreement could be reached. Jordanian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have said securing the release of the 81 Jordanian prisoners has been the focus of months of negotiations with Israel.
Bureau Report
"The Jordanian government believes that this number is insufficient and insists on the release of the remaining prisoners, especially the four arrested before the signing of the peace treaty." Israel is insisting on holding onto four Jordanians convicted of killing Israelis before the two neighbours signed a 1994 peace treaty, Jordanian officials have said.
There was no immediate comment from Israel. But Amman-based Israeli Embassy officials have previously confirmed that negotiations had been ongoing and that an agreement could be reached. Jordanian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have said securing the release of the 81 Jordanian prisoners has been the focus of months of negotiations with Israel.
Bureau Report