In Israel, a military tribunal has ordered the release of Aziz Dwelk, who was elected Speaker of the Palestinian parliament after Hamas won the elections in 2006.

He was arrested by Israel a short time after his election and sentenced to three years in prison for being a member of an illegal organisation.

Although the 60-year-old Mr Dwelk will officially finish his sentence in August, it is expected that he will be released any day now. The tribunal ordered his release despite a request from public prosecutors that he be kept in prison.

Israel arrested more 60 Hamas politicians in 2006, among them 25 MPs. They did so after Palestinian forces abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from a Gaza Strip border crossing in June of that year. Gilad Shalit is still a prisoner.