Washington - Barack Obama spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday as the president-elect continues to return phone calls from leaders congratulating him on winning the White House. The Obama transition team did not disclose details of Obama's conversation with Abbas.
Obama has vowed that he will continue to work for Israeli- Palestinian peace. He telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert two days after the November 4 election.
Israelis have been sceptical of Obama over worries that he will be more sympathetic to the Palestinians than President George W Bush, who has been strongly allied with Israel.
Obama was criticized when he said during the campaign that Jerusalem should remain undivided. The comments irked Palestinians who believe that East Jerusalem, controlled by the Israelis, should be the capital of a Palestinian state.
The remarks were contrary to the Bush administration's policy that the Israelis and Palestinians must resolve Jerusalem's status in peace negotiations.
