Obama makes "very important" call to Abbas

Oct 23, 2009, 20:42 GMT

Ramallah - US President Barack Obama made 'a very important' call Friday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, reaffirming his commitment to a Palestinian state, Abbas spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said.

He said in a statement that Obama and Abbas discussed 'all issues related to the peace process and the difficulties facing it.'

He said Abbas expressed 'his commitment for a peace process with clear terms of reference that would lead to an independent Palestinian state along with a halt to (Israeli) settlements.'

Abu Rudeineh said the call 'was very important for the future of the peace process and the region,' without giving any more details.

Abbas later received a call from US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and the two discussed 'efforts to revive the peace process,' according to an official unattributed statement.

The US has been pushing Abbas to resume negotiations with Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu without conditions.

The Palestinians, however, insist that Israel should first stop all settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem before negotiations can resume.