Israel may have to negotiate on prisoners -minister

JERUSALEM, July 18 (Reuters) An Israeli cabinet minister today said the country might at some stage have to negotiate over Lebanese prisoners held in Israel to end a crisis sparked by Hizbollah's abduction of two soldiers.

There was no indication whether Public Security Minister Avi Dichter was speaking on behalf of the government or giving his personal opinion. Israel has previously rebuffed Hizbollah's offers of a prisoner exchange.

''I think at the end we will bring the soldiers home and if one of the ways must be through a negotiation about Lebanese prisoners, I think the day will arrive when we must consider (this) as well,'' Dichter said on Army Radio.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said yesterday Israel would pursue its offensive against Hizbollah until the two captured soldiers were returned and Lebanese army troops controlled all of southern Lebanon.

Earlier this month, Dichter suggested Palestinian prisoners held in Israel might be released as a ''goodwill gesture'' if militants in Gaza first freed an Israeli soldier captured last month and ended rocket attacks.

Olmert and other government ministers responded by insisting there would be no negotiations.

REUTERS SB BST1354