RAMALLAH, April 17, 2008, (WAFA)-President Mahmoud Abbas said that releasing the prisoners is an essential prelude necessary for the success of the political process and the provision of appropriate atmospheres that make our people believe in this process.

In a recording speech on the occasion of Prisoners' Day broadcasted in Ramallah on Thursday, President said that ' Our decision has been and remains firm that there can be no peace with Israel without the liberation of all prisoners and detainees from the occupation prisons and detention camps, and no signing on agreement does not contain any release of all.'

President added that is why we ask the issue of releasing the prisoners in every meeting with the Israeli side, particularly in summit meetings and negotiating meetings.

' This is a clear priority for us and commitment can not escape it under any circumstance, adding that in this context I would like to reassure my brothers and sons and daughters of our heroic prisoners and  all our people that we are able to install this issue as a negotiated issue equal to the six permanent issues like: Jerusalem, refugees, borders, settlements, water and security.'