RAMALLAH, November 10, 2006 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas received Friday phone calls from the British Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett and Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema.

During the phone calls, the European diplomats expressed deep shock for the horrible carnage of Beir Hanoun.

They also expressed their countries' support to the efforts paid for forming a national unity government.

For his part, President Abbas briefed them on the latest developments in the Palestinian territory in light of the ongoing Israeli escalation.

A.D (19:18 P) (17:18 GMT)