JERUSALEM, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has agreed to release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners for the Ramadan holiday.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had asked Olmert to release the prisoners as a goodwill gesture and Olmert agreed to release prisoners to the West Bank and Gaza, Ynetnews reported Monday.
"We want the Palestinian people to understand that moderation pays, that non-violence pays, that negotiation brings much more than terrorism ever would," said Israeli spokesman Mark Regev.
However, the two leaders didn't discuss the number of prisoners to be released during their roughly three hour meeting in Jerusalem Monday, said VOA.
Olmert and Abbas also announced after their meeting that they want "to contribute to the success of the planned international meeting," referring to upcoming U.S.-sponsored peace talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice next week.
The leaders also said teams will be appointed to help advance the goal of a two-state solution.
