Abbas Urges U.s. to Help Reach Peace Deal by Year-end

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope on Sunday that the United States would help push Israelis towards striking a permanent peace agreement with Palestinians before the end of 2008.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice following their meeting in Ramallah, Abbas asked Rice to "help us to convince Israel of being committed to stopping settlements activities."

"We consider settlements activities a major obstacle that obstructs any development in the peace process," Abbas said, adding "as settlements activities increase, we of course face obstacles to achieve peace."

Abbas said he has talked with Rice about Egypt's efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinian militants based in the Gaza Strip, adding "we want a truce that ends our people's suffering and lift the Israeli blockade."

"We hope that a truce agreement would be reached soon because we have been waiting for reaching the truce for a long time," said Abbas.

Asked about his initiative to launch a comprehensive dialogue, Abbas said "all depends on Hamas movement... we are ready to continue our efforts if Hamas wants to reach a full agreement that unifies Gaza with the West Bank."

Earlier this month, Abbas presented an initiative to launch a comprehensive internal dialogue among all Palestinian factions including Fatah and Hamas to end the current Palestinian crisis.

Rice, for her part, said she talked with the Israelis and the Palestinians on how to make a progress in the negotiations relaunched at the U.S.-sponsored Annapolis peace conference last November, adding that she also discussed with the two sides on "improving the Palestinians living conditions."

Rice revealed that she would attend a three-way meeting on Monday that would include Prime Minister of the Palestinian caretaker government Salam Fayyad and Israeli Defense minister Ehud Barak.

"The meeting will discuss the commitments of the two sides to implement the roadmap plan for peace in the Middle East," said Rice.

She also disclosed that she would hold a meeting with chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qurei and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni later on Sunday "to try to make a progress in the peace negotiations."

Speaking about the Israeli settlements activities, Rice said there are "decisions and declarations that affect the confidence between the two sides, adding that "we should all encourage confidence between them."

Rice arrived in the region late Saturday, her sixth visit this year to follow up the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, which are intended to bring about a peace deal before U.S. President George W. Bush steps down in January.