26/01/2006
Secretary-General
SG/SM/10324
PAL/2040
www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/sgsm10324.doc.htm
Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

Secretary-General says peaceful Palestinian legislative elections important
step towards achievement of Palestinian state

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General telephoned President Mahmoud Abbas to congratulate him
and the Palestinian people on the peaceful and orderly conduct of the
legislative elections. He expressed his appreciation of the work of the
Central Election Commission, which received assistance from the United
Nations for the preparatory electoral work. The Secretary-General views
these elections as an important step towards the achievement of a
Palestinian State. He looks forward to the publication of the results of
the elections over the coming days, and to discussing them with Quartet
partners.

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