DAMASCUS, Syria, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Leaders from Egypt, Hamas and Syria met in Damascus to discuss the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for a kidnapped Israeli soldier.
Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Suleiman, Syrian President Bashar Assad and Hamas political leader Khaled Mashaal discussed the possibliity of trading hundreds Palestinians jailed in Israel for the return of kidnapped Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit during meetings Saturday, the London-based al-Sharaq al-Awsat newspaper reported Sunday.
Palestinian sources said the summit was also part of Egypt's effort to improve relations between Hamas and Fatah in the Palestinian territories, where the two groups have engaged in violent confrontations, YNetNews.com said.
Egypt and others have been seeking a Palestinian unity government between Hamas and Fatah that would recognize Israel.
