Jackson is in the Middle East on a shuttle diplomacy tour in an effort to secure Shalit’s release as well as that of IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. The pair were captured by Hizbullah terrorists on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon on July12th, touching off a full-scale war.
According to the Arabic language daily newspaper Al Hayat, Meshaal said he would be interested in a deal to free Shalit in return for the release of Palestinian Authority prisoners from Israeli jails.
Jackson met with the Damascus-based leader of the Hamas terror organization as well as with Syrian President Bashar Assad before leaving for Lebanon, the second stop in his regional diplomacy tour.
The American cleric is expected to meet with Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Jackson said he is also hoping to meet with Hizbullah chief terrorist Hassan Nasrallah to discuss a prisoner exchange deal to free Goldwasser and Regev.
Jackson is slated to visit Israel after talks in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Israel on Tuesday to continue his efforts to end the impasse between Israel and Hizbullah. Annan criticized both sides during a visit to Beirut this week, demanding the terrorists free the hostages and that Israel end its air and sea blockade of Lebanon.
Annan is set to meet in Jerusalem Tuesday night with the families of the three hostages. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Gillerman was to meet with the families prior to their discussions with Annan.
According to the Arabic language daily newspaper Al Hayat, Meshaal said he would be interested in a deal to free Shalit in return for the release of Palestinian Authority prisoners from Israeli jails.
Jackson met with the Damascus-based leader of the Hamas terror organization as well as with Syrian President Bashar Assad before leaving for Lebanon, the second stop in his regional diplomacy tour.
The American cleric is expected to meet with Lebanon's President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Jackson said he is also hoping to meet with Hizbullah chief terrorist Hassan Nasrallah to discuss a prisoner exchange deal to free Goldwasser and Regev.
Jackson is slated to visit Israel after talks in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Israel on Tuesday to continue his efforts to end the impasse between Israel and Hizbullah. Annan criticized both sides during a visit to Beirut this week, demanding the terrorists free the hostages and that Israel end its air and sea blockade of Lebanon.
Annan is set to meet in Jerusalem Tuesday night with the families of the three hostages. Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Gillerman was to meet with the families prior to their discussions with Annan.