Prisoner swap deal - Egyptian authorities on Tuesday handed Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, back to his home government following a prisoner swap deal struck by the Israeli government and the Palestinian movement, Hamas, with Egypt as mediator. Shalit, captured by Hamas five years ago, was handed over to Egyptian officials at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

In an interview with Egyptian state television, Shalit said he always believed he would be freed one day, adding that he knew about the deal only a week ago.

A spokesman for the Hamas thanked the Egyptian government, which he described as the key broker and main component in the completion of the first stage of the prisoner swap deal.

Egypt is also acting as the guarantor of the completion of the deal in different stages.

The first phase of the deal has now concluded, with 477 Palestinian prisoners released by Israel in exchange for Shalit,

The rest of the total of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners are to be freed by Israel in the coming weeks, according to the deal.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu expressed appreciation for the role played by Egypt in brokering the deal.

Pana 19/10/2011