Sign up to The Irish Times Archive (1859 - 2008)My Account »

Tue 06 Jun 2007Fatah prisoners to be released to bolster AbbasMIDDLE EAST:Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert announced yesterday that he would release 250 Fatah members who are imprisoned in Israeli jails as part of a goodwill gesture aimed at bolstering Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in the wake of Hamas's takeover of the Gaza Strip.Mr Olmert's announcement came at a summit with Mr Abbas and the leaders of Egypt and Jordan in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, which was aimed at boosting the Palestinian leader and his more moderate Fatah function, who now control the West Bank, and emphasising Hamas's isolation.