RAMALLAH, January 9, 2008, (WAFA)- Prisoners' minister Ashraf al-Ajramy said early Wednesday that the Palestinian side is to discuss the file of the prisoners behind Israeli bars with the U.S President George Bush during his tour in the region.

In a press release, the minister added "the prisoners' issue is to be scheduled in the agenda of the Palestinian leadership meeting with Bush. We insist there to have be pressures on the Israeli side so as to reactivate the Palestinian-Israeli panel assigned to tackle the principles according to which the prisoners to be released".

"Releasing the prisoners is a significant prelude for a successful political peace process just as important as the core issues of settlement and removing Israeli blockade", he clarified.