In a clear sign to lend support,the United States on Thursday welcomed the recommitment by Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas to the Middle East roadmap peace plan.

"We certainly welcome Prime Minister Abbas' reaffirmation of the Palestinian commitment to the road map and his call for the consolidation of the Palestinian security services under his authority, in order to permit progress on the roadmap," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said at a news briefing.

With the peace process facing serious challenges, Boucher stressed, both Israelis and the Palestinians need to do more to advance the peace process and must keep in mind "the consequences of their actions" as they move forward on this process.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2003)

"But our view remains that the main problem is terror and violence," he said, adding that there will never be a viable Palestinian state built on terror.

"It is in the interests of the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people that these acts of terror and violence come to an end," the spokesman said.

Responding to a question, Boucher dismissed Abbas' appeal that Washington drop its boycott of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"Our position is a conclusion reached over a long time based onexperience and we don't expect to change it," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2003)