Sunday, June 01, 2008

Israel to send back Hezbollah spy

BBC

An Israeli citizen convicted of spying for Hezbollah in 2002 is due to be deported to Lebanon.

There are rumours that the release of Nasim Nisr could be part of a prisoner swap between Israel and Lebanon.

Nasim Nisr was born in Lebanon to a Jewish mother and a Shia Muslim father. He left the country and became an Israeli citizen.

When his jail sentence ended a month ago, Israel opted to revoke his citizenship and deport him to Lebanon.

Party planned

Mr Nisr will be driven to the border crossing near Lebanon's southern town of Naqoura, and handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Hezbollah officials say celebrations are being planned for his return.

A more extensive prisoner swap between the two sides could involve two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah in 2006 - an act which prompted the 33-day war between Israel and the Shia militant group - and a number of Lebanese citizens held by Israel.

There has been no comment from Hezbollah on those rumours, and Israel has denied that this deportation is part of any wider deal.

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