U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with PA chair Mohammed Abbas (Abu Mazen) on Tuesday and ensured him that the new administration will act seriously in advancing peace in the Middle East.
Abu Mazen’s spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina, told reporters that Obama emphasized that the PA chairman is the first leader that he called since his taking office.
Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Abu Mazen, said that the U.S. President had thanked the PA chair for the congratulations he had extended after the Nov. 4 election. Erekat added that the two leaders had “reiterated their commitment to continue to work” for a solution to the Israel-Arab problem.