The Damascus-based leader of Hamas has agreed to deliver a letter to a captured Israeli soldier from his father, an official for the Palestinian group said Saturday.
Hamas political bureau member Mohammed Nasr told The Associated Press that the emir of Qatar gave a letter intended for Gilad Schalit to Khaled Mashaal during a visit to Syria this past week.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office had indicated earlier a letter from Schalit's father, Noam, would be handed to the emir, who was then expected to pass it on to the leader of the Palestinian group.
The emir was in Syria for a summit with the leaders of Syria, France and Turkey.
Palestinian militants have held Schalit in the Gaza Strip for two years after capturing him in a raid on an Israeli army outpost.
With files from The Associated Press
