Jerusalem: Israel's cabinet Sunday approved a prisoner exchange deal with the Hezbollah movement that would see the return of two Israeli soldiers held by the guerrilla group nearly two years ago.

Majority of the ministers voted in favour of the deal after a marathon cabinet meeting.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged the cabinet to approve the proposal to exchange Lebanese prisoners for two Israeli soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser from Hezbollah's captivity.

The soldiers were abducted by the group in a cross-border raid in July 12, 2006 that sparked a 34-day war with Lebanon.

"At the end of a long process, I have reached at the conclusion that you must approve the proposal which will bring this painful affair to an end,” Olmert told his ministers.

 

Source : IANS