Abbas calls for Spanish help

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 01-09-2009 09:57

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has urged Spain to lend its weight to international efforts to establish a cease-fire in Gaza and to introduce a peacekeeping force in the region.

Spain's King Juan Carlos (R) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pose for the media during a private audience at Madrid's Zarzuela Palace January 8, 2009. REUTERS/Juan Medina

Abbas made the appeal following a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid.

Abbas said 13 days of bombardment by Israeli forces has destroyed much of Gaza's infrastructure.

He hoped that a flare-up in violence on Thursday along Israel's border with Lebanon would not interfere with Gaza peace efforts.

Both Zapatero and Abbas said they backed French-Egyptian efforts to broker an immediate cease-fire.

Meanwhile, the Spanish Prime Minister said his government would give five million euros worth of new aid to the Palestinians.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei