The White House welcomed Tuesday the Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swap that saw Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit freed after more than five years, DPA reported.
"We are pleased that Mr. Shalit is being reunited with his family," spokesman Jay Carney said. "We've long called for his release and are pleased he's been reunited with his family."
Carney stressed that the United States has called for both sides to take steps that will lead to a resumption of direct peace negotations.