Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza praised Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for steps he has taken to enforce the rule of law in West Bank and Gaza. "I want to take this opportunity to commend President Abbas and his leadership as well as that of his government for their ongoing efforts to enforce the rule of law in the West Bank and in Gaza," Rice said, speaking at a news conference after her meeting with Abbas in Ramallah. "These efforts demonstrate the Palestinian leadership's commitment to ensuring security and tracking down those that perpetrate violent attacks that only delay the achievement of a Palestinian state," Rice said, calling on Abbas to continue these efforts. "There is much work to be done," she was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. Rice met with Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, and Palestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef _ who is responsible for the Palestinian security forces. "Rice demanded more Palestinian efforts to consolidate the truce," said Palestinian Planning Minister Ghassan Khatib, who attended one of the meetings. Israel and the Palestinians declared an end to the more-than four years of violence at a February summit in Egypt. Rice said free movement for the Palestinians was vital for the economic future of the Gaza Strip. "That means when the Israelis withdraw from Gaza they cannot be sealed or isolated as an area, with the Palestinian people closed in after that withdrawal," Rice said. Abbas said the Gaza withdrawal must be the first step toward progressing with the "road map" peace plan, which calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. "Israel should be aware that the withdrawal from Gaza must be a step in the road map and must be followed immediately with the resumption of the political process," Abbas said. Abbas also called on Israel to stop expanding West Bank settlements on land the Palestinians claim for their future state.
