RAMALLAH, April 14, 2008, (WAFA)-President Mahmoud Abbas said on Monday that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has been exerting utmost efforts to reach calm in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement to WAFA and Palestinian T.V after chairing the Palestinian Cabinet meeting in Ramallah, President Abbas said that' we are exerting paramount efforts, especially with the Egyptian brothers and we hope the citizens in the Gaza Strip to observe the public interest and stop everything so as to be calm and begin a new phase.'

As for his trip to Russia and Washington, President said:' this round has a political character, we want to talk with the Americans and the Russians about the future, especially with the Russians for the forthcoming Moscow Conference and moving the peace process forward.'

President added that this is the case for our visit to the United States, where we are working hard to reach a settlement.