Israel frees Palestinian inmates

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Israel freed 198 Palestinian prisoners Monday to show support for the leadership of the Fatah party governing the West Bank.

The prisoners, including one held since 1977, were greeted as heroes in Ramallah after being transferred from Ofer Prison, near the West Bank, into Palestinian custody, The New York Times reported.

Nearly 9,000 Palestinians remain in Israeli prisons for offenses ranging from attacks to membership in militant groups, the Times reported.

Monday's release came as U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Israel to try to restart the stalled Israel-Palestinian peace process before President Bush leaves office in January.