NEW YORK, September 22, 2010 (WAFA)- President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated last night, the requirements of achieving a just peace in the region, and confirmed it is represented by the establishment of independent State of Palestine according to a solution to the issue of refugees as provided for in the Arab peace initiative.

This came during a speech of The President in a meeting with leaders of the American Jewish community organized by the Center for Middle East Peace in New York.

The President stressed the Palestinian demand for the complete cessation of settlement activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

In response to a question about recognition of Israel as a Jewish state, the President said: This file has been closed since 1993, when they exchanged letters of mutual recognition between the PLO and the Government of Israel in the exchange of letters between late President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

In response to various questions, the President invited the audience to concentrate on the goal of making peace rather than be distracted by issues of detail, and said: 'The opportunity to achieve peace is gaining momentum across the U.S. role and international support and support for Palestinian and Israeli peoples, stressing that the international resolutions and agreements signed provide reference for the negotiations.

He also said that security can be guaranteed after the signing of the final agreement through an international force.