Rice-Olmert-Abbas

      Abbas and Olmert reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution and their support for the cease-fire in Gaza, according to a summary statement read by Rice. Secretary of State said Olmert and Abbas would meet again shortly and that she expected to return to the region soon. The three leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the internationally backed "road map" peace plan and agreed that a solution to the conflict will not be "born of violence and terror," Rice said. Also,Abbas and Olmert discussed possibly extending a 3-month-old cease-fire covering the Gaza Strip to include the West Bank, said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat but, Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan called Monday's summit a failure. "Rice did not succeed in pressuring President Abbas to withdraw from the unity government. We call on the U.S. administration to respect the Palestinian people's will and recognize the government and open a dialogue with the government," he said.(08,08)