Israeli officials on Monday said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had requested that Israel delay the release of 230 Palestinian prisoners until he returns from a Muslim pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. The officials, who agreed to Abbas' request, said the Palestinian leader wanted to be back in the West Bank to greet the freed prisoners. While a top Abbas denied the reports claiming that the Palestinian president would never want delay prisoners freedom, the release has now been set to take place on Tuesday. 12/08/08
