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US-Israel talks on Palestinians US-Israel back Palestinian leader
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush is holding talks at the White House with the Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. US President George W Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have offered public support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
The meeting is expected to focus on events in the Palestinian Territories, where President Mahmoud Abbas has named an emergency cabinet excluding Hamas. Calling Mr Abbas "the president of all the Palestinian people", both men pledged to work with his new emergency government, which excludes Hamas.
Reports say the US wants Israel to resume contacts with the Palestinians, while Israel wants to isolate Hamas after its takeover of the Gaza Strip. Mr Olmert insisted he was ready to meet Mr Abbas on a regular basis.
A Hamas spokesman said the talks were aimed at destroying his organisation. Mr Bush and Mr Olmert are meeting at the White House for talks following the military takeover of Gaza by Hamas.
On Monday, the US announced it had lifted its financial and diplomatic embargo on the Palestinian Authority. Earlier, a Hamas spokesman said the talks were aimed at destroying his organisation.
The European Union also said it would "resume normal relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately". On Monday, the US and the EU announced the lifting of a financial and diplomatic embargo on the Palestinian Authority.
It said it was assessing ways of resuming direct economic aid to the government, but wanted to see proper financial mechanisms in place beforehand.
The EU and US imposed an embargo on the previous Hamas-led administration after the Islamist group came to power 18 months ago.The EU and US imposed an embargo on the previous Hamas-led administration after the Islamist group came to power 18 months ago.
Mr Abbas dismissed the government on Thursday after it seized control of the Gaza Strip. The factional fighting left more than 100 people dead.Mr Abbas dismissed the government on Thursday after it seized control of the Gaza Strip. The factional fighting left more than 100 people dead.
US supportUS support
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the message from the Bush administration to Israel is already clear. The talks in Washington are expected to focus on the practicalities of Israel's resumption of direct contact with the Palestinian Authority.
We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians Ehud Olmert Tensions high at Gaza crossing Moves to support W Bank Ask Jeremy BowenWe will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians Ehud Olmert Tensions high at Gaza crossing Moves to support W Bank Ask Jeremy Bowen
The White House wants Mr Olmert to re-open a full range of contacts with the Palestinians and to do it soon, our correspondent adds.
On Monday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that her government would resume full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately.On Monday, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced that her government would resume full diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority immediately.
She criticised Hamas, which she said had tried to impose an extremist agenda on the Palestinian people.She criticised Hamas, which she said had tried to impose an extremist agenda on the Palestinian people.
"It is the duty of the international community to support those Palestinians who wish to build a better life, and a future of peace," Ms Rice added."It is the duty of the international community to support those Palestinians who wish to build a better life, and a future of peace," Ms Rice added.
She also announced $40m (£20m) of emergency aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), which runs relief efforts in Gaza, now controlled by Hamas.She also announced $40m (£20m) of emergency aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), which runs relief efforts in Gaza, now controlled by Hamas.
Earlier, in a 15-minute phone call with President Bush, Mr Abbas said the time was now right to push for new peace talks.Earlier, in a 15-minute phone call with President Bush, Mr Abbas said the time was now right to push for new peace talks.
'Genuine partner''Genuine partner'
Speaking in New York before the talks, Mr Olmert seemed receptive to the idea.Speaking in New York before the talks, Mr Olmert seemed receptive to the idea.
Send us your comments Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took overSend us your comments Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took over
He said the new set-up could pave the way for talks on a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.He said the new set-up could pave the way for talks on a permanent peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
"We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians," he said on Sunday."We will be ready to discuss with Mr Abbas the political horizon for what will eventually become the basis for a permanent agreement between us and the Palestinians," he said on Sunday.
Mr Olmert said he was ready to renew regular contact with the Palestinian leader in order to "resolve the outstanding daily issues and move forward to finding ways to solve grander issues".Mr Olmert said he was ready to renew regular contact with the Palestinian leader in order to "resolve the outstanding daily issues and move forward to finding ways to solve grander issues".
Earlier, Mr Olmert said he would be willing to take "more risks" with co-operating with what he called a "genuine partner" in the West Bank.Earlier, Mr Olmert said he would be willing to take "more risks" with co-operating with what he called a "genuine partner" in the West Bank.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also confirmed that up to $800m (£400m) of frozen tax revenues held by Israel would now be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also confirmed that up to $800m (£400m) of frozen tax revenues held by Israel would now be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.