Annan to mediate on Israeli soldiers release -Fox

WASHINGTON, Sep 4 (Reuters) UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has agreed to personally mediate between Israel and Hizbollah for the release of two Israeli soldiers seized in July, Fox News Channel reported today, citing a UN spokesman.

Details of Annan's role were not immediately available, Fox said.

The soldiers' abduction in a daring cross-border raid from Lebanon touched off 34 days of fighting between Israel and Hizbollah that ended in a truce last month. The fighting killed more than 1,300 people, mostly Lebanese civilians.

Asked about the report, a UN spokesman in New York said Annan had repeatedly offered to use his position to help obtain the release of the Israeli hostages, but he gave no more details.

Annan was in the Middle East today.

REUTERS AB KP2350