ADDIS ABABA, January 29, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas affirmed that "our top priority is forming a national unity government and abiding by the commitments of the PLO and the PNA as well as the international and Arab resolutions and legitimacies."

Addressing the Eighth Conference of the African Union in Addis Ababa, President Abbas stressed in case the unity government is not achieved, early elections will be the only option before the leadership.

Presidednet Abbas called for the quick implementation of the Road Map, asserting that decades of conflict proved to be infertile.

"The real alternative to conflicts is Israel's recognition of the Palestinian rights," President Abbas said, adding "the recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 with Jerusalem as its capital."

He pointed out that the Palestinian people are the last people on the earth suffering from occupation, saying Palestine is threatened by the Israeli settlement expansion.

President Abbas stressed that continuation of the Israeli occupation of Palestine endangers the stability and security of the region.

A.D (18:2P) (16:2GMT)