WASHINGTON, Feb 8 (AFP) - The United States said an announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas to end violence between their peoples is a step on the way to peace.
"We are extremely encouraged by the bold leadership that president Abbas, prime minister Sharon, president (of Egypt Hosni) Mubarak and King Abdullah (II of Jordan) have demonstrated," the US State Department said.
Meeting at an Egyptian resort, the two leaders said it was time to end the cycle of violence, which has claimed some 4,700 lives.
"We have agreed with the prime minister to cease all acts of violence against Israelis and against Palestinians wherever they are," Abbas declared at the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.
"The cessation of violence and terrorism announced today is an important step on the way toward dismantling terrorist infrastructure as called for in the road map," Ereli said.
02/08/2005 19:37 GMT - AFP