RAMALLAH, January 31, 2007 (WAFA) - President Mahmoud Abbas received Wednesday in Rammalh the Irish Foreign Minister Mr. Dermot Ahern.

During the meeting, President Abbas briefed the Irish FM on the latest developments in the Palestinian territory. He also informed Mr. Ahern of the Israeli attempts to change facts on the ground, stressing the necessity to start a meaningful peace process reaching the establishment of the Palestinian state on the lands occupied by Israel in 1967 and in accordance with the Road Map, the Arab peace initiative and the UN resolutions.

President Abbas also updated the Irish FM with the efforts made to form a unity government which is able to end the siege imposed on the Palestinian people and abide by the international legitimacy.

A.D (20:17 P) (18:17 GMT)