Barak to discuss Shalit with Egypt

JERUSALEM, June 20 (UPI) -- Israel's defense minister will discuss the case of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in a meeting Sunday with Egypt's president, reports say.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo, and has reportedly placed the Shalit case at the top of a list of issues he intends to discuss with the Egyptian leader, the Web site for the Israeli daily newspaper Maariv reported Saturday.

Basing its report on the London-based Asharq al Awsat newspaper, Maariv said the head of Egyptian intelligence Omar Suleiman will also attend the meeting.

A source quoted in the London-based paper said officials are discussing a deal that will include the release of 1,100 Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israel in exchange for the Israeli soldier.

Shalit was on operational duty near the Gaza border in June 2006, when he was abducted and forcefully taken to Gaza, where he has been held captive ever since, the report said.