Azzam Azzam in Israel

Egypt released Israeli businessman Azzam in an exchange deal.

5 December 04 14:21, Globes' correspondent

Azzam Azzam was released today from prison in Egypt and arrived at the Taba border crossing at noon. He had been in prison for eight years. Azzam, an Israeli businessman, was imprisoned after being convicted of espionage.

In exchange for Azzam, Israel released six Egyptian students who had been arrested several months ago on suspicion of planning an attack in Israel.

Azzam, accompanied by a large convoy of security forces, General Security Services, Israel Prison Service, and Israel Police Eilat Division, was taken to the Eilat Airport. He is expected to be flown to Ben Gurion Airport, and then to Kfar Maghar in the Galilee, where his family is preparing festivities to celebrate his return.

An official Israeli government press release said, "During his visit to Israel last week, Egyptian Intelligence Minister Omar Soliman informed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak had responded to the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s request and, as a personal gesture to the Prime Minister, had instructed the relevant Egyptian authorities to work to shorten the sentence of Azzam Azzam.

"As a gesture of appreciation and gratitude to Egyptian President Mubarak, Prime Minister Sharon ordered the relevant Israeli authorities to release from detention six Egyptian infiltrators.

"As a further gesture to Egyptian President Mubarak, Prime Minister Sharon ordered the relevant security authorities to consider the possibility of shortening the prison terms of Palestinian prisoners in accordance with previously determined criteria.

"Prime Minister Sharon reiterated his deep gratitude to Egyptian President Mubarak and to Gen. Soliman and emphasized that this humanitarian gesture would make an additional contribution towards the deepening of bilateral relations." Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 5, 2004