TUNIS, August 7, 2006 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Monday the act of sending a letter to PM's office in Ramallah containing an unknown substance.

Seven employees fell ill after they opened the letter, postmarked Tel Aviv.

President Abbas phoned Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Nasser al-Deen al-Sha'er to check on the health of the seven employees and was updated on the investigation launched today on the case.

President Abbas and al-Sha'er discussed the developments in the Palestinian territories and the President's unremitting efforts to end the siege imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people.

A.D. (21:02 P) (18:02 GMT)