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Sarkozy Says Anger with Netanyahu Caused by France's Exclusion from Shalit Release
(Ha'aretz) Barak Ravid - French President Nicolas Sarkozy was angry with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel refused to include France in the release of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, the French leader recently explained to Jewish leaders, after he was overheard calling Netanyahu a "liar" last month. Sarkozy offered to fly Shalit from Egypt to Israel in a French helicopter upon his release from Hamas custody, but Netanyahu rejected the offer. He also requested that the French ambassador to Israel participate in the welcoming ceremony in Israel for Shalit, who also holds French citizenship. An official said Sarkozy was frustrated by the fact that France did not get any credit for Shalit's release.