Lavrov: G-8 United on Israel Soldier Issue

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, right, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier seen at a news conference during the G8 foreign ministers meeting in Moscow, Thursday, June 29, 2006. G8 foreign ministers were meeting in Moscow before a July 15-17 summit of G8 leaders, to be held in St. Petersburg and hosted for the first time by Russian President Vladimir Putin. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) (Alexander Zemlianichenko - AP)

MOSCOW -- Russia's foreign minister said he and his Group of Eight counterparts were "united" Thursday in their demand that an Israeli soldier held by Palestinian militants be released.

"We are united in the demand to free him as quickly as possible," Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at a news conference at a meeting of top diplomats from the world's most industrialized nations.

The foreign ministers also called on the Israelis and Palestinians to do everything possible to calm the ongoing crisis as Israeli forces pressed their military campaign in Gaza to win the release of the Israeli soldier held by Hamas gunmen.

"We confirmed our support for the 'Quartet' ... and called on the parties to take all the necessary steps to calm the situation," Lavrov said, referring to the group of Middle East peace mediators _ Russia, the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union.

"With restraint, perhaps we can get back to a place where there can be hope for a peaceful resolution," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a news conference attended by the eight top diplomats along with representatives of the European Union and other groups.

Rice said "reasonable Palestinians are also involved in efforts" to win the Israeli soldier's release.

Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit was captured during a raid on a military outpost near the Gaza border early Sunday, sparking the latest crisis. Israeli authorities, meanwhile, have detained seven Cabinet ministers and 20 lawmakers from Hamas.

Israeli troops rounded up dozens of ministers and lawmakers from the Palestinians' ruling Hamas party Thursday while forging ahead with a military campaign in Gaza.

On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes buzzed the summer residence of President Bashar Assad of Syria, where Hamas' top political leader Khaled Mashaal lives.

The operations are meant to step up the pressure on Palestinian militants holding the Israeli soldier after Israel refused to negotiate a swap of the soldier for Palestinian prisoners, who are estimated to number about 8,000.