ABBAS REJECTS SHARON OFFER OF GAZA COORDINATION

Abbas rejects Sharon offer on Gaza
Palestinian presidential frontrunner Mahmud Abbas has rejected an offer by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to coordinate Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip next year. Speaking to Aljazeera on Thursday, the PLO chairman said there was "nothing new" in a speech Sharon made earlier in the day.

"It [the speech] was based on a deal between Sharon and President Bush in March 2004 which tackled three main issues - withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, keeping the settlement outposts and no to a return of Palestinian refugees. "I completely reject Sharon's speech and wonder why America, in principle, accepts decisions that previously determine the future of Palestinian issues."

Abbas added: "We will never concede the right of return and the keeping of illegal settlement outposts which have been rejected since 1967. Sharon is the obstacle in the way of peace."