Peres listens to terror victim's father.
Peres listens to terror victim's father.Israel news photo: Flash 90

President Shimon Peres met German mediator Gerhard Conrad Tuesday and thanked him for his role in enabling the Shalit deal.

Conrad was accompanied by senior members of German intelligence and representatives of the German government.

"The entire nation of Israel is holding its breath in excitement because Gilad Shalit is the son of all of us. I wish to thank you as the president of the state of Israel in the name of the nation in Israel, for your personal contribution to the long and protracted negotiations that ended with the release of Gilad Shalit.

"You carried out the negotiations in circumstances that were not simple and in a complex reality with professional, smart and devoted work. We all know the depth of your commitment to the release of Shalit."'

Peres also thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for supporting the negotiations and said that she "proves through her actions the depth of the friendship and strategic relations between the two countries." 

Conrad said the compliments "embarrassed" him. "Both sides had to make decisions that were not simple and I am glad both sides made decisions. After all it was a very difficult challenge, sometimes demanding and frustrating, but I am filled with excitement and satisfaction when I see Gilad Shalit returning home, together with you."