Peres pardons Lebanese terrorist

JERUSALEM, July 15 (UPI) -- Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday pardoned a notorious Lebanese prisoner after the Israeli Cabinet approved a prisoner exchange with Hezbollah.

In his message Peres said that he spoke to the families of Samir Kuntar's victims before making the decision, Haaretz reported. Kuntar was sentenced to life in prison for killing four people in a 1979 attack. "In this decision there is no forgiveness or absolution for the murderer's heinous actions," Peres said. "I will not forget and I won't forgive."

Peres, who signed the pardon less than 12 hours before the scheduled exchange, said that Kuntar's release depends on Hezbollah meeting its pledges, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Earlier Tuesday, the Cabinet approved the exchange of Kuntar and four other Lebanese prisoners for Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, two reservists kidnapped two years ago.

Families of Goldwasser and Regev renewed their calls on Cabinet ministers to support the prisoner swap with Hezbollah, Haaretz said. Family members said they were concerned that criticism of Hezbollah's report on Arad may give the terrorist group an excuse for voiding the deal.