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US-Israel back Palestinian leader US, Israel vow to support Abbas
(30 minutes later)
US President George W Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have offered strong support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.US President George W Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have offered strong support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Calling Mr Abbas "the president of all the Palestinian people", both men pledged to work with his new emergency government, which excludes Hamas.Calling Mr Abbas "the president of all the Palestinian people", both men pledged to work with his new emergency government, which excludes Hamas.
Mr Olmert insisted he was ready to meet Mr Abbas on a regular basis.Mr Olmert insisted he was ready to meet Mr Abbas on a regular basis.
Mr Bush and Mr Olmert are meeting at the White House for talks following the military takeover of Gaza by Hamas.Mr Bush and Mr Olmert are meeting at the White House for talks following the military takeover of Gaza by Hamas.
Earlier, a Hamas spokesman said the talks were aimed at destroying his organisation. Mr Abbas sacked the Hamas-led Palestinian government in the aftermath of the takeover, replacing it with an emergency administration led by an independent.
On Monday, the US and the EU announced the lifting of a financial and diplomatic embargo on the Palestinian Authority. Ahead of the Washington meeting a Hamas spokesman said the talks were aimed at destroying his organisation.
The EU and US imposed an embargo on the previous Hamas-led administration after the Islamist group came to power 18 months ago. Hamas condemned
Speaking before the start of private talks, the two leaders said Mr Abbas "speaks out for moderation" in the Palestinian territories.
"He is a reasonable voice among the extremists in your neighbourhood," Mr Bush said to Mr Olmert.
Our hope is that President Abbas and Prime Minister [Salam] Fayyad... can lead the Palestinians in a different direction President George W Bush Tensions at Gaza crossing Moves to support W Bank Ask Jeremy Bowen
Mr Olmert condemned the "brutality" of Hamas, but said he would make every possible effort to co-operate with Mr Abbas, raising the prospect of bi-weekly meetings.
Mr Bush repeated his previously-stated commitment to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, a sentiment backed by Mr Olmert.
"Our hope is that President Abbas and Prime Minister [Salam] Fayyad will be strengthened to the point where they can lead the Palestinians in a different direction," he said.
But there was no specific mention of how the US or Israel intended to address the reality of a Gaza Strip run by Hamas.
Reports ahead of the talks said Israel wanted to tighten financial restrictions on Gaza, denying funds to Hamas.
However, a spokesman told the BBC that Israel had no intention of stopping humanitarian aid reaching those in need.
Embargo lifted
The talks in Washington came a day after the US and the EU announced the lifting of a financial and diplomatic embargo on the Palestinian Authority imposed after the Islamist group won elections power 18 months ago.
Send us your comments Q&A: Gaza chaos How Hamas took over
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 support
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 at Gaza crossing Moves to support W Bank Ask Jeremy Bowen
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.
"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.
'Genuine partner'
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 over
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.
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.
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.