Mahmoud Abbas

CAIRO, EGYPT - OCTOBER 05: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (L) during a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) on October 5, 2010 in Cairo, Egypt. Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to discuss issues surrounding the Middle East Peace Process, Mubarak has warned that a 'collapse' of the Middle East negotiations would lead to 'violence and terrorism' across the world.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - OCTOBER 15: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (C) during Friday prayers on October 15, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Today Mahmoud Abbas stated he would not recognise Israel as a Jewish state and is opposed to population exchanges as part of any permanent peace agreement.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - OCTOBER 15: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) during a meeting with Arab Knesset members headed by MP Mohammed Baraka (2nd L) on October 15, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Today Mahmoud Abbas stated he would not recognise Israel as a Jewish state and is opposed to population exchanges as part of any permanent peace agreement.

CAIRO, EGYPT - OCTOBER 05: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (2nd R) during a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (R) on October 5, 2010 in Cairo, Egypt. Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to discuss issues surrounding the middle peace process, Mubarak has warned that a 'collapse' of the Middle East negotiations would lead to 'violence and terrorism' across the world.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, (L) meets with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in Ankara on December 5, 2010. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in Turkey for a two-day visit to discuss troubled efforts to end the Middle East conflict, Anatolia news agency reported.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (L) shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in Ankara on December 5, 2010. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in Turkey for a two-day visit to discuss troubled efforts to end the Middle East conflict, Anatolia news agency reported.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, (L) shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in Ankara on December 5, 2010. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in Turkey for a two-day visit to discuss troubled efforts to end the Middle East conflict, Anatolia news agency reported.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, (L) meets with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in Ankara on December 5, 2010. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in Turkey for a two-day visit to discuss troubled efforts to end the Middle East conflict, Anatolia news agency reported.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, (L) shakes hands with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in Ankara on December 5, 2010. Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas arrived in Turkey for a two-day visit to discuss troubled efforts to end the Middle East conflict, Anatolia news agency reported.

ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 5: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) on December 5, 2010 in Ankara, Turkey. Abbas met with the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral relations and about the stalled Middle East talks during a two-day visit.

President Mahmoud Abbas (R) of the Palestinian Authority speaks alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) of Israel and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) as she hosts peace talks between the two countries at the US State Department in Washington, DC, September 2, 2010.

ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 5: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) on December 5, 2010 in Ankara, Turkey. Abbas met with the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral relations and about the stalled Middle East talks during a two-day visit.

ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 5: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) on December 5, 2010 in Ankara, Turkey. Abbas met with the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral relations and about the stalled Middle East talks during a two-day visit.

ANKARA, TURKEY - DECEMBER 5: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) on December 5, 2010 in Ankara, Turkey. Abbas met with the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral relations and about the stalled Middle East talks during a two-day visit.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 24: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas attends a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting on November 24, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Issues from peace talks with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas were discussed.

RAMALLAH, ISRAEL - DECEMBER 13: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) (C) meets with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd (L) on 13 December 2010, in Ramallah, Israel. Earlier in the day the former Australian Prime Minister met Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rudd has urged Israel to put a stop to all new buildings in Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and also in the West Bank.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R), meets with Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (L) on September 21, 2010 in New York City. The two are in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 24: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas attends a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting on November 24, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Issues from peace talks with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas were discussed.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh (L) on September 20, 2010 in New York City. The two arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 24: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas attends a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting on November 24, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Issues from peace talks with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas were discussed.

RAMALLAH, ISRAEL - DECEMBER 13: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) meets with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd on 13 December 2010, in Ramallah, Israel. Earlier in the day the former Australian Prime Minister met Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Rudd has urged Israel to put a stop to all new buildings in Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem and also in the West Bank.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) on September 20, 2010 in New York City. The two arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 16: In this handout image supplied by the office of the Palestinian President, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas lays a wreath on the tomb of late Palestinain leader Yasser Arafat, on November 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. According to reports Abbas postponed a meeting with David Hale, the assistant to US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, due to the start of Eid, which begins today.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 24: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (3rd R) attends a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting on November 24, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Issues from peace talks with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas were discussed.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 24: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (C) attends a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting on November 24, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Issues from peace talks with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas were discussed.

PARIS - SEPTEMBER 26: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R) shakes the hand of the French Prime Minister François Fillon on September 26, 2010 in Paris, France. Israel's 10-month moratorium on settlement construction has ended despite international pressure to extend it but Abbas commented he will not quit Middle East peace talks without meeting with leaders.

PARIS - SEPTEMBER 26: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R) shakes the hand of the French Prime Minister François Fillon on September 26, 2010 in Paris, France. Israel's 10-month moratorium on settlement construction has ended despite international pressure to extend it but Abbas commented he will not quit Middle East peace talks without meeting with leaders.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 20: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with Israeli President Shimon Peres (L) on September 20, 2010 in New York City. The two arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 24: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas attends a Fatah Revolutionary Council meeting on November 24, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Issues from peace talks with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas were discussed.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with Belgian Foreign Minister Steven Vanackere (L) on September 21, 2010 in New York City. The two arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (R), meets with the President of the Dominican Republic Leonel Fernandez (L) on September 21, 2010 in New York City. The two arrived in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: In this handout image supplied by the Office of the Palestinian President, President Mahmoud Abbas (C) during a meeting with the Jewish community on September 21, 2010 in New York City. Abbass is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, along with nearly 140 other world leaders during the three-day summit on ending global poverty, hunger and disease within the next five years.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 16: In this handout image supplied by the office of the Palestinian President, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas lays a wreath on the tomb of late Palestinain leader Yasser Arafat, on November 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. According to reports Abbas postponed a meeting with David Hale, the assistant to US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, due to the start of Eid, which begins today.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (not pictured) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - DECEMBER 13: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is seen as he chairs the meeting of the PLO Executive Committee on December 13, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Abbas also chaired another meeting yesterday of the Fatah Central Comittee. Both meetings are being held as Ramallah shows its disappointment with the US administration for not mounting pressure on Israel to stop construction in the West Bank settlements as well as in east Jerusalem.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (not pictured) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - DECEMBER 13: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is seen as he chairs the meeting of the PLO Executive Committee on December 13, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Abbas also chaired another meeting yesterday of the Fatah Central Comittee. Both meetings are being held as Ramallah shows its disappointment with the US administration for not mounting pressure on Israel to stop construction in the West Bank settlements as well as in east Jerusalem.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - DECEMBER 13: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is seen as he chairs the meeting of the PLO Executive Committee on December 13, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. Abbas also chaired another meeting yesterday of the Fatah Central Comittee. Both meetings are being held as Ramallah shows its disappointment with the US administration for not mounting pressure on Israel to stop construction in the West Bank settlements as well as in east Jerusalem.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (C) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 29: In this handout image supplied by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (2nd L) speaks with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Robert Serry (L) during a meeting on November 29, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (not pictured) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - NOVEMBER 29: In this handout image supplied by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) shakes hands with the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Robert Serry during a meeting on November 29, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - SEPTEMBER 16: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Abbas's office September 16, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank. The two met to discuss the situation between Palestine and Israel with an aim to moving forward with peace negotiations.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - OCTOBER 17: In this handout image provided by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), President Mahmoud Abbas (R) meets with Secretary General of the International Federation of Trade Unions Sharan Burrow on October 17, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank.

RAMALLAH - NOVEMBER 28: In this handout image supplied by the Palestinian Press Office (PPO), Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a meeting with the British Shadow Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on November 29, 2010 in Ramallah, West Bank.