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Rice to meet Palestinian leader Rice to meet Palestinian leader
(about 2 hours later)
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as part of her Middle East tour.US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas as part of her Middle East tour.
Ms Rice says Palestinians "need a government that can engage the international community", after sanctions which crippled the region.Ms Rice says Palestinians "need a government that can engage the international community", after sanctions which crippled the region.
She has been meeting Egyptian and Saudi leaders as she tries to get "moderate Arab leaders" to boost Mr Abbas.She has been meeting Egyptian and Saudi leaders as she tries to get "moderate Arab leaders" to boost Mr Abbas.
Supporters of Mr Abbas' Fatah party have clashed with gunmen linked to the Hamas-led government.Supporters of Mr Abbas' Fatah party have clashed with gunmen linked to the Hamas-led government.
Ten Palestinians have been killed and more than 100 wounded since fighting erupted between the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Hamas militants.Ten Palestinians have been killed and more than 100 wounded since fighting erupted between the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and Hamas militants.
Ms Rice has called for an end to the violence, saying it was affecting "innocent Palestinians".Ms Rice has called for an end to the violence, saying it was affecting "innocent Palestinians".
President Bush may want to revive the peace process, but it is hard to see how Rice courts moderate ArabsPresident Bush may want to revive the peace process, but it is hard to see how Rice courts moderate Arabs
Unrest has spiralled in the Palestinian territories over the Hamas government's inability to pay civil servants and security forces.Unrest has spiralled in the Palestinian territories over the Hamas government's inability to pay civil servants and security forces.
In further violence, masked gunmen have killed a Hamas leader in the West Bank, a day after a rival Palestinian faction threatened to kill senior Hamas members.
The Palestinian government has been starved of cash from foreign donors since Hamas took its helm after elections earlier this year.The Palestinian government has been starved of cash from foreign donors since Hamas took its helm after elections earlier this year.
Aid donations have been sliced over Hamas' refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence.Aid donations have been sliced over Hamas' refusal to recognise Israel and renounce violence.
Palestinian problemPalestinian problem
The US Secretary of State is visiting the Middle East for the first time since the end of a month-long conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.The US Secretary of State is visiting the Middle East for the first time since the end of a month-long conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
Before her talks with Mr Abbas, she is expected to meet Egyptian President President Hosni Mubarak. She will also see Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Before her talks with Mr Abbas, she is expected to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. She will also see Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Ms Rice said on Tuesday that the Palestinians "need a government that can engage the international community and can engage the broad consensus that a two-state solution is the answer".Ms Rice said on Tuesday that the Palestinians "need a government that can engage the international community and can engage the broad consensus that a two-state solution is the answer".
US President George W Bush said last month he wanted Ms Rice to travel to the region to "engage moderate leaders".US President George W Bush said last month he wanted Ms Rice to travel to the region to "engage moderate leaders".
He said these leaders' could "help the Palestinians reform their security services and support Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their efforts to come together to resolve their differences".He said these leaders' could "help the Palestinians reform their security services and support Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their efforts to come together to resolve their differences".
At a press conference in Cairo on Tuesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said solving the Palestinian problem was central to achieving peace in the region.At a press conference in Cairo on Tuesday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said solving the Palestinian problem was central to achieving peace in the region.
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal also called for greater US efforts to restart the Middle East peace process.Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal also called for greater US efforts to restart the Middle East peace process.
He said the failure to address the plight of the Palestinians was one of the core problems of the region.He said the failure to address the plight of the Palestinians was one of the core problems of the region.