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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: July 2, 2006 |
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An Israeli Cabinet minister called U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Saturday to urge the Bush administration to step up pressure on Syria to work for the release of a captured Israeli soldier, officials said.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz made the call after meeting with senior defense advisers, their aides said. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity since they were unauthorized to make a formal statement.
A week ago, Hamas militants kidnapped Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalid. The Israeli government has demanded his release and invaded Gaza, where he is believed to be held.
On Wednesday, warplanes buzzed one of Syrian President Bashar Assad's palaces in a warning to him and the exiled Hamas leaders he hosts, including members of the Hamas politburo.
On Friday, John Bolton, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, called for Shalit's immediate and unconditional release. He also urged Assad to arrest Hamas' top political leader, Khaled Mashaal, who lives in Damascus, and close the militant group's office in the Syrian capital. |
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