June 29, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 28,1424

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JERICHO, June 28: US national security adviser Condoleezza Rice held talks here on Saturday evening with Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas, as she launched a crucial visit aimed at pushing along an internationally-backed Middle East peace initiative.

After flying into Tel Aviv, she headed directly to see Mr Abbas in the West Bank town of Jericho.

Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan, foreign minister Nabil Shaath and governmental affairs minister Yasser Abed Rabbo also joined the talks at Jericho’s Grand Hotel.

Ms Rice is also due to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom and Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz on Sunday.

Her visit is a further push for the implementation of the US-backed “roadmap”, a blueprint for peace aimed at stopping 33 months of bloodshed and paving the way for the creation of a Palestinian state by 2005.—AFP