Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    RAMALLAH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Wednesday Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised in the face of President Mahmoud Abbas to free 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

    Olmert told Abbas that Israel would free 150 prisoners behind bars in Israeli jails as a "good-will gesture to President Abbas," Erekat told reporters following a meeting between Abbas and Olmertin Jerusalem.

    Erekat said the two leaders have made the decision to release Palestinians prisoners during their meeting, noting that the release of the Palestinian prisoners would take place by the end of August.

    Erekat also disclosed that the two leaders had discussed the ongoing peace negotiations between the two sides as well as the permanent status issues, namely the status of Jerusalem, the expansion of settlements and the refugees.

    Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian official in Ramallah, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israel is interested in bolstering President Abbas by releasing Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

    Abbas criticized Israel for only releasing prisoners under the pressure of militant groups who kidnap Israeli soldiers and exchange them for prisoners and for ignoring negotiations with the Palestinian authorities on the prisoners release, said the official.

    Abbas earlier presented a list of prisoners imprisoned in Israeli jails and asked Israel to free them, including senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti.

    Earlier in the day, Abbas talked with Olmert at the latter's official residence in Jerusalem, which was also attended by the negotiation teams.

    Their meeting was the first since Olmert announced on July 30 that he has decided not to contend in the primary election of his ruling Kadima party and would resign as soon as a new party leader is chosen.