WASHINGTON - The United States on Thursday welcomed Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas' pledge to crack down on violence with an "iron fist" and praised him for bringing "energy and activism" to the Middle East peace process.
Deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli said that Washington has long been looking for firm Palestinian action to end anti-Israeli violence by Islamic militants.
"Statements such as these by President Abbas, I think, support that goal, and we are strongly supportive of his efforts and they are to be encouraged," Ereli told the daily State Department briefing.
Palestinian media Thursday quoted Abbas, accused by Israel of not doing enough to crack down on militants, as swearing to use an "iron fist" against anyone who violated a de facto truce with Israel.
He also promised to ensure that Israel's planned withdrawal from the occupied Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank went ahead smoothly.
Ereli warmly praised Abbas for introducing a "change in attitude and a change in actions" since replacing the late Yasser Arafat as Palestinian chief in January.
"I think they have shown a level of energy and activism that we certainly didn't see under Chairman Arafat," the US spokesman said. "And there have been, I think, institutional changes that are positive."
But Ereli added that "nobody is complacent. I think everybody understands that maintaining security and moving forward in addressing some of the areas that need work is a continuous effort."
04/28/2005 19:17 GMT