Syrian officials said Thursday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad promised Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi that he would work for a prisoner exchange between terrorist groups and Israel. Assad said he would speak with Israel, Hamas, and Hizbullah and try to convince Israel to release terrorist prisoners in exchange for kidnapped Israeli soldiers.

Israel and Hamas have discussed the release of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit in exchange for the release of terrorists, but all talks have failed until now. Hamas insists that approximately 1,500 terrorists be released, and has refused to provide a sign of life from Shalit.