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14:19 GMT
RAMALLAH, May 2 (KUNA) -- Former US president Jimmy Carter said that the "Elders", an international group of elder statesmen, would exert huge efforts to implement what Hamas and Fatah agreed on last April for Palestinian national reconciliation.
Carter and a delegation from the group of elder statesmen, who advance peace and reconciliation, met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah Saturday.
Carter expressed hope that Palestinian elections would be held in the near future, including the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Jerusalem.
He told reporters that elections would be an important step for Palestinians, noting that he discussed with Abbas the implementation of all terms relevant to the reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah.
For his part, Abbas underlined the significance of the Strip's reconstruction, urging all donor countries to honor the pledges they announced during the Sharm El-Sheikh conference to help the government start the reconstruction and put an end to the sufferings of Palestinians.
He also stressed the necessity of ending splits and making national reconciliation through helping the government achieve its duties and preparing for presidential and legislative polls.
Former Prime Minister of Norway Gro Harlem Brundtland said that the group of elder statesmen is involved in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a bid to support peace between the two sides.
She added that Palestinian elections would be held as soon as possible as it is an important step for inter-Palestinian reconciliation.
The Elders is an international organisation of elder statesmen, peace activists and human rights advocates, who were brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007. (end)
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