US President George W. Bush, at a joint press conference with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas on Thursday, urged the Palestinian leadership as well as the Arab world to crack down on terror and Israel to stop settlements expansion.

"The Palestinian Authority must earn the confidence of its neighbors by rejecting and fighting terrorism," Bush said, adding that in the short term, the Palestinian Authority must earn the confidence of its people by holding elections and having a functioning government that delivers economic opportunity.

Moreover, Bush also called on the Arab world to help Palestine build a strong and prosperous economy and fight terror.

"I believe the Arab states have a particular responsibility to help the Palestinians build a strong and prosperous economy. And I urge them to create an environment in the region that strengthens the possibility of peace," he said.

To help Palestine in security issues, Bush said that in the coming days he will name a new security coordinator to replace outgoing General Kip Ward.

"In the coming days, I will be naming our new coordinator to build on the progress General Ward has made," Bush said.

"This person will take on an enhanced mission to help President Abbas and the Palestinian authority carry out their responsibility to end terror attacks, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, maintain law and order and one day provide security for their own state," Bush added.

Meanwhile, Bush also called on Israel, a strong ally of the United States, to continue to work with the Palestinians to help improve the daily lives of Palestinians.

"Israel should not undertake any activity that contravenes its roadmap obligations with regard to Gaza, the West Bank and Jerusalem," Bush said, referring to a blueprint plan for peacemaking undertaken by the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia.

For his part, Abbas urged Israel to join the Palestinians "in a real partnership for making peace."

Abbas said that Israel must stop settlement activities and construction of the security wall in the West Bank, particularly in Jerusalem and withdraw Israeli forces to positions prior to Sept. 28, 2000, when a Palestinian uprising against Israel erupted.

The Palestinian leader assured Bush that the Palestinian leadership has been taking steps to reinforce the rule of law and public order.

"We are intensifying our work in the field of security. We have taken active steps in imposing the rule of law and public order and banned armed demonstrations. Our measures are continuing to reinforce the judiciary branch as well as the administrative reform," he said.

This was Abbas' second meeting with Bush after they first met in May, but it was the first since Israel pulled out of the Gaza Strip last month.

Bush's meeting with Abbas came after Israel cut ties with the Palestinians in response to the killings on Sunday of three Jewish settlers, the first attack since Israel's pullout from Gaza.

Abbas met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday and both sides described the meeting as "good."

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2005)