Sharon praises Abbas, considers a historical achievement with the Palestinians

The Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon announced his readiness to give concessions concerning the situation in the Middle East. He considered that it has become possible to achieve a historical progress with the Palestinians in the course of the peace operation.

Sharon said, talking before a society for Israeli contractors in Jerusalem on Thursday evening, that the Palestinian authority is moving positively, considering that there are encouraging indicators at the level of what he described fighting violence and terrorism.

Sharon expressed his conviction that the progress might lead to calm and security and might in the future lead to peace which he inspires, as he alleged.

Meantime, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak made a telephone call with the Israeli prime minister Sharon congratulating him on what he described the positive atmospheres prevailing in the Middle East.