Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that he is ready to honor the security commitments in an internationally backed peace plan, adding that he hopes to resume peace talks with Israel soon.
Abbas, elected Palestinian president earlier this week, said he is eager to restart talks on the "road map." This plan requires Israel to freeze settlement activity in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, while Palestinians must dismantle armed groups.
"We emphasize before you that we are committing to the road map," Abbas said, according to AFP, after a meeting with local and international Christian leaders.
"As you know, this plan starts with security commitments and eventually deals with the final status issues, like borders and Jerusalem. We are ready to implement our commitments. We hope the Israeli side will do the same," he noted.
Abbas is to be sworn into office on Saturday.
