TEHRAN -- The Zionist regime has claimed that it is currently engaged in some secret negotiations with the Lebanese Hizbullah over the fate of hostages and prisoners.

The Zionist Regime's Channel 2 television yesterday reported that during the talks between the Israeli and the Lebanese sides, the Secretary General of the Lebanese Hizbullah, Seyed Hassan Nasrallah, rejected any relationship between the release of Israeli pilot Ron Arad and freedom of Sheikh Hassan Deirani.

According to another report published by As-Safir daily, Nasrallah refused to meet the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan during his visit to Lebanon.

Annan's aides requested a meeting with Nasrallah, but did not receive an immediate response, As-Safir said.

Analysts believe that Nasrallah's move indicated his reluctance to meet UN secretary-general.

Annan intended to discuss two issues with Hizbullah chief: the exchange of Israeli prisoners held by Hizbullah with Lebanese prisoners in Israel, and the violation of borderline between Lebanon and the Zionist regime by the Lebanese resistance movement and the Zionist entity, the daily further reported.