"We have great admiration for you and leadership," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas at a press conference on Wednesday following their meeting in Ramallah.
United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas shake hands following a previous press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah. [file]
Photo: AP , AP
Rice added that the US was "very concerned" about the plight of the Palestinians and pledged to improve living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
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She said that the US would "redouble efforts" to help the Palestinians.
For a Jerusalem Online video of events click here
The secretary of state went on to say that the US was aware of the hard work that needed to be done in order to achieve a two state solution but said that the US remained committed to the cause.
"You have the strong support of the US and a personnel commitment from President George Bush and I," she pledged.
Abbas, speaking alongside Rice, said any new Palestinian government must honor signed agreements with Israel.
The PA chairman laid down the demand shortly after saying that his efforts to reach a power-sharing agreement with the Hamas had broken down.
Abbas said there was "no indication" of a new dialogue with Hamas.
AP contributed to this report.
