German mediates Middle East prisoner swap

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- A Lebanese newspaper reported Friday a German mediator met with Hezbollah officials in Beirut this week about a prisoner swap with Israel.

The sources told Al-Mustaqbal during the talks it was decided to renew negotiations with Israel and to try to solve the main obstacle standing in the way of the deal -- the release of Samir Kuntar, the terrorist who killed four members of a Nahariya family in 1979.

Ernst Uhrlau reportedly told both the Israeli and Lebanese sides he does not want to stop acting as an mediator at this sensitive time "since ending the initiative at this sensitive time could have negative implications."

With no progress being reported, the frustration of the relatives of kidnapped Israelis and Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners, to be released in the deal has grown, Ha'aretz reported.