WASHINGTON, Jan 13: US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said he expects Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas to fight terrorist groups opposed to peace with Israel.

In a statement released by the State Department on Thursday, Mr Powell defended President Bush's decision to invite Mr Abbas to the White House, although the president had never invited the deceased Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"President Bush stood up alongside of him (Abbas) in the region and blessed the "roadmap" with him and with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel. So we know him well," he said.

Mr Powell said now that the Palestinian election campaign was over, Abbas had to "take a stronger position" against terrorist groups. "But more than just take a position, he has to fight against those forces within the Palestinian community that still think there is a role for terrorism," he said. "And if he does that, then the United States will be able to support him and he'll find that Israel can be a partner for peace with him as well."