An Egyptian source was quoted Tuesday as saying that the freeing of Ilan Grapel will take time and that the matter is still under discussion. According to the English language edition of Al Ahram newspaper, reports that Grapel is about to be freed and that he will leave Egypt together with U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta are "exaggerated."
Panetta told reporters in Egypt that he is not involved directly in contacts regarding Grapel, but added that the matter did come up in his meeting with Supreme Military Council chief Muhammad Tantawi.