Abbas hopeful over Israel truce
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PLO chairman Mahmud Abbas has voiced optimism that armed Palestinian groups will respond to his call to lay down weapons. &quot;There has been progress in the negotiations with Palestinian factions about ending
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Prominent Palestinian figures have appealed for an end to violence, adding weight to the election campaign of moderate Mahmoud Abbas to succeed Yasser Arafat and launch peace talks with Israel.
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RAMALLAH, West Bank  - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wants a planned Middle East conference to result in a framework agreement for peace with Israel and set a timeline for implementation, a senior aide said on Sunday.
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Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has started his presidential campaign by promising a general referendum on peace.
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The Palestinian leader and Israeli prime minister declare a truce amid hopes of a "new era of peace".
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The interim Palestinian leader on Wednesday welcomed a Mideast conference proposed by Britain, saying it would be a first step toward reviving stalled peace talks.
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Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that he considers Israeli leader Ariel Sharon a partner for peace talks and called for an immediate resumption of negotiations after the Palestinian election.
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RAMALLAH, West Bank  - Mahmoud Abbas was sworn in  as Palestinian president to succeed Yasser Arafat on Saturday  and called for a cease-fire with Israel and talks on a final  peace settlement.
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Hamas promised on Saturday to maintain a de facto truce and, in a major policy change, not to retaliate immediately for any Israeli violence while it weighs Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's ceasefire with Israel.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged  militant groups in Gaza on Saturday to agree to a mutual  cease-fire with Israel but they said they would only consider  one if the Jewish state promised to stop its assaults first.
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New Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas  said on Sunday he was close to a deal with militants to cease  attacks on Israelis, a step needed to relaunch Middle East  peacemaking.
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President Mahmoud Abbas said he hoped talks between Palestinian factions to begin Sunday would resolve critical disagreements and make his plan to call a referendum recognizing Israel&#039;s right to exist unnecessary.
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Mahmoud Abbas will visit the Gaza Strip to try to convince Palestinian militants to stop attacks against Israel.
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Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said on Monday he hoped a meeting with President Mahmoud Abbas would result in an agreement on a unity government to end a crippling Western embargo.
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The interim Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has asked Palestinian militants to halt violence during the campaign for Jan. 9 presidential elections, a participant in truce talks said Tuesday.
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New President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday  he was close to reaching a deal with militants to cease attacks  on Israelis, a step needed to relaunch Middle East peacemaking.
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RAMALLAH, West Bank  - Palestinian President   Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday he was ready to meet Israeli Prime   Minister Ehud Olmert as soon as possible to resume long-stalled   peace negotiations.