By JPOST.COM STAFF
The United States is set to give Egypt an F-16 fighter jet as part of the deal to release dual US-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel, the Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported Thursday.Ma'an quoted Egyptian military expert General Sameh Sayf al-Yazal saying that the United States was called into the negotiations to help Egypt exact the best possible deal for Grapel's release. According to the report, Israel refused to release all 81 Egyptian prisoners in Israel for a deal that included both Grapel and Ouda Tarabin, an Israeli Bedouin who, like Grapel, is being held in Egypt on spying charges.Grapel is expected to be released on Thursday in exchange for 25 Egyptian prisoners.
Lebanon hopes for neighborly relations in message to new Syria gov't
