RAMALLAH, March 25, 2007, (WAFA)-President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday that Arab Peace initiative as well as the Peace process in the Middle East needs activation.

During a joint press conference with US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, in the presidential HQ in Ramallah city, the President revealed that he tackled with Rice the expectations of the upcoming Arab summit, expressing the need to activate not only the Arab initiative but also the peace process in the Middle East.

He said that Rice's visit comes in a framework of the US continuous efforts to reach a political solution leads to the implementation of the US President George Bush's vision of two states living side by side in peace and security.

The President also discussed the Israeli settlement activities, abducted Israeli soldier and efforts made to release him, mutual truce and finally the case of the Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails.

For her part, Rice said "It's extremely important to establish a common agenda to move forward toward the establishment of a Palestinian state."

She also added that all the parties need to have a destination in mind to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"I think it can help all of us to have a destination in mind," Rice said. "I think this time it is best to talk about that political horizon in parallel. But I sincerely hope in the future the parties themselves can talk about the political horizon themselves."

H.M (18:50 P)-(16:50 GMT)