Head of Egypt's intelligence service visits Israel

Gen. Omar Suliman, head of Egypt's intelligence service, met today with Israel's security minister, Amir Peretz. The talks dealt primarily with the situation in the Gaza strip and continuing efforts to secure the release of abducted israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit. Shalit was abducted by palestinian militants of the Hamas organization a few months ago. Haled Mashal, one of the leaders of Hamas, visited Egypt earlier this week. At the moment Hamas is demanding the release of many prisoners in exchange for Shalit, a price Israel is reluctant to pay. Suliman and Peretz also discussed the ongoing smuggling operations taking place between the Siani desert and the Gaza strip. Egyptian forces guarding the border have not been able to seal it and great quantites of weapons and explosives have been smuggled by palestinian militants since Israel's withdrawl from Gaza in the summer of 2005. Suliman is also scheduled to meet with Israel's PM, Ehud Olmert, and the head of Mossad, Meir Dagan. In Israel, many politicians have expressed outrage at Egypt's ineffective control of the border with Gaza and believe that Egypt can do a lot more.