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 WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush on Monday pledged help and support to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as the United States prepared to lift economic and diplomatic sanctions against his new-look government.
In a 15-minute phone conversation, Abbas told Bush about the steps he has taken, including swearing in an emergency Cabinet and outlawing the militia forces of Hamas. Bush noted that he plans to meet Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and that he would share their thoughts on how to continue, White House press secretary Tony Snow said.
The Bush administration is poised to lift the sanctions and a diplomatic embargo against the new Palestinian government in the West Bank since it no longer includes the Islamic militant group Hamas.
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