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Jun 16, 2008 8:30 am US/Pacific
Mayor Gives Israeli Prime Minister Bryant Jersey
JERUSALEM (AP) ―
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Villaraigosa gave Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (pictured) a jersey of L.A. Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant.
AP
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and handed him a jersey of L.A. Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant.
Villaraigosa, on a seven-day trip to the Israel, said he is a longtime friend of the prime minister, and the two discussed ways to promote peace in the region.
The mayor said his gift Sunday reflects that, in his words, "there is no better ambassador for the city of Los Angeles than Kobe Bryant."
Even after a busy day of meetings, Villaraigosa said he would stay up to watch the Lakers play the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA finals. The Lakers won last night to send the series back to Boston.
Villaraigosa met with a string of Israeli leaders Sunday, including President Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.
He is leading a delegation of 40 people and will meet with terrorism experts, water conservation specialists and environmentalists during the visit.
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