Solution to kidnapping crisis depends on Syria: Israeli PM

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a phone talk on Sunday that solution to a kidnapping crisis depends on Damascus, the Ha'aretz daily reported.

"The directive to carry out operations and orders to carry out terror attacks all come from there and the Syrian leadership must dismantle the terror groups' headquarters in its territories," Olmert was quoted as telling Rice.

The prime minister said that Israel "will make use of all means available" to secure the rapid release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who was kidnapped by Palestinian militants in a cross- border raid last week.

Olmert said that Palestinian militants have not halted rocket attacks on Israel and "Israel will do everything in order to prevent Qassam fire and will continue to foil all terror acts aimed at Israeli citizens."

Olmert also expressed appreciation for efforts made by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to seek release of Shalit.

Three Palestinian groups launched a deadly attack on an Israeli army post near Gaza border on June 25, killing two and capturing another.

Israel has accused Khaled Mashaal, Hamas Politburo leader in Damascus, of ordering the kidnapping.

Source: Xinhua