Bush issues support for Abbas
George Bush said he would work with Mr Olmert for peace in Palestine
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Tuesday, 19, Jun 2007 06:53
US president George Bush has expressed his support for the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas in the wake of violence between the rival groups Hamas and Fatah in Gaza.
Speaking alongside the Israeli president Ehud Olmert, who is in the US to discuss the situation in the Middle East, Mr Bush described Mr Abbas as "the president of all Palestinians".
"He has spoken out for moderation. He is a voice that is a reasonable voice amongst the extremists in [Israel's] neighbourhood," he added.
Mr Olmert also issued his backing for Mr Abbas, saying that he will "make every possible effort to cooperate" with him in establishing peace in Palestine.
He added that he had been "outraged" at the "brutality and cruelty" of the violence in Gaza.
Together, Mr Bush said, the two leaders will use their meeting to "work on our bilateral relations" and to "work on a common strategy to fight off extremists".
In the last week armed gunmen from Hamas, classified as a terrorist organisation by the international community, gained control of security posts in Gaza. The violence led to the deaths of more than 100 people.
On Friday Mr Abbas declared a state of emergency and announced an emergency cabinet headed by independent former finance minister Salam Fayyad; but its ability to govern looks uncertain as Hamas said it does not recognise the administration.
The meeting between Mr Bush and Mr Olmert comes a day after the EU and US resumed direct humanitarian aid to the Palestinian Authority. The renewal of diplomatic and economic ties explicitly excludes Hamas and is channelled through the new government from the West Bank.
Earlier this month the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said he supported Mr Abbas and was in close consultation with involved parties about the way ahead.