French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said Sunday that he believes the two IDF soldiers being held by Hizbullah are alive. "To the best of my knowledge, the two soldiers are alive," said Kouchner at a news conference after a summit between 14 Lebanese factions, including Hizbullah.

Kouchner said he had discussed the matter of the soldiers – 1st Sgt. Eldad Regev and Master Sgt. Ehud Goldwasser – in his talks with Hizbullah's representatives. "They told me that the talks about a prisoner exchange are at an advanced stage," he said.