Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) is expected to be sworn in as chairman of the Palestinian Authority at a session of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah on Wednesday.

A day after his election, Abbas said the Palestinians "are ready for peace" with Israel. He said he is eager to resume peace talks, adding: "We extend our hands to our neighbors. We are ready for peace, peace based on justice. We hope that their response will be positive."

Abbas called for a resumption of peace talks based on the road map.

Former PA cabinet minister Nabil Amr, who is expected to play a key role in the new PA cabinet, said Abbas will move swiftly to resume peace talks with Israel and to reach a cease-fire agreement with Hamas and other armed groups.

Amr, who was shot and wounded by unidentified gunmen in July after publicly criticizing Yasser Arafat's performance, said the result of the election represents a clear mandate for Abbas's call to end the militarization of the intifada and engage in peace talks.

"This means that he is the real and credible leader of the Palestinians, and the Americans and others and the Israelis will have to deal with him now," he said, adding that a cease-fire is among Abbas's first priorities.

"We will get nowhere unless we all adopt a new language," Amr stressed. "If Abu Mazen succeeds in reaching a cease-fire and containing these groups, [Prime Minister Ariel] Sharon should be satisfied."

Jersualempost.com