Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners

Occupied Jerusalem: Israel's interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday announced the upcoming release of 250 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture of goodwill towards Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, officials on both sides said.

Olmert made the announcement during talks with Abbas in occupied Jerusalem. "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Abbas of his decision to release 250 Palestinian prisoners belonging to the pragmatic camp as a gesture of goodwill towards Abbas," said a senior Israeli official.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said: "President Abbas had asked him to free Palestinian prisoners and Olmert told him of the decision to release 250 at the beginning of December."