CAIRO: The carrying out of the prisoner swap between Galid Shalit and Palestinian prisoners through Egyptian mediation is evidence of both Egypt's pivotal role and its leadership on the national and international stage, said Abdullah al-Ashaal, the former Egyptian minister of foreign affairs. It also proves Egypt's commitment to securing Palestinian statehood, he added. Israel must learn that Egyptians will never give up on their Palestinian brothers until a state is recognized, he said, adding that the Egyptian revolution will be the foundation on which peace and justice is established in the region. Al-Ashaal also called on Israel to release thousands of its prisoners, but this time without the condition of another imprisoned Israeli.
