BETHLEHEM, January 19, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas wished Thursday night that the plight of the Palestinian people would end as the plight of the Armenian people across the world ended.

President Abbas statements came during the Armenian Christmas reception made by the Armenian Church, in accordance with the Armenian calendar.

President Abbas wished that the siege of Bethlehem in the Holy Land to be ended, hoping that peace would prevail in the city under the umbrella of th Palestinian state, where Christians and Muslims can live peacefully as they used to live for thousands of years.

For his part, Armenian Orthodox Patriarch Torkom I Manooghian affirmed that Bethlehem is not a marginal, expressing sorrow for the Wall that surrounds the city and aggravates its residents' sufferings.

He also wished that peace would prevail, appreciating President Abbas' efforts to end the current impasse faced by the Palestinian people.

A.D (23.50P) (21.50GMT)