GAZA, March 17, 2007, (WAFA)-President Mahmoud Abbas called on Saturday for not amending the Arab peace initiative in Beirut in 2002, calling on the forthcoming Arab Summit due in Riyadh to readopt it as it is.

In a speech before Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) to vote confidence of the new national unity government, President affirmed that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and its reference the PLO would protect the unity government's unified stance on the basis of commitments to national programme and all signed agreements in accordance with Arab peace initiative, which is an essence for a genuine peace.

President reiterated on denouncing violence with all its forms. "We work for a solution based on international legitimacy and a solution through negotiations that lead to a comprehensive and just peace beyond unilateral and separated solutions."

President called on Israel to abide by reciprocal commitments and to halt all forms of violence, aggressions and assassinations as well as other daily practices.

President affirmed that Jerusalem would remain a title for every just solution and ending its occupation is the best of goals as it is the center for religious forgiveness and humanitarian coexistence and good neighbouring.

"This national unity wedding has won Arab and international welcome, which we hope will be transformed into tangible steps to end the siege and enable our people and the PNA under the PLO leadership to address all issues scheduled for the new government, the top priority of which is to end chaos and domestic confusion and impose security and law as well as protecting completely the state of calm and overcoming unemployment, poverty and migration of capitals."

"I call on Israeli people, his government and parties that we are ready without conditions to advance in the path of a just peace through resumption of negotiations between Israeli government and the PLO leadership." President Abbas said.

"I confirm that the way of colonisation, the Separation Wall and besieging Jerusalem would not bring peace, but all these acts would lay more obstacles on the path to peace," he added." We are stretching our hand wide open for achieving peace of freedom and equality, a peace that gives the coming generations a great hope in coexistence and puts an end to all past sufferings and cycles of violence."

M.H.(13:38 P)(11:38 GMT)