US welcomes call for early Palestinian elections

WASHINGTON, Dec 16 (Reuters) The White House today said it hoped that a call by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for fresh elections would help calm violence and pave the way for getting the peace process back on track.

''While the elections are an internal matter, we hope this helps bring the violence to an end and the formation of a Palestinian Authority committed to the quartet principles,'' White House spokeswoman Jeanie Mamo said.

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