Rice's visit was also intended to give new momentum to coordination efforts.
In a key sign of cooperation, Rice said the two sides have agreed to coordinate the demolition of settler homes in Gaza, which would allow construction of larger apartment buildings for Palestinians in the densely populated coastal strip. The fate of the roughly 1,200 settler homes had been a sticking point in recent weeks.
Abbas also said he is prepared to work with Israel in removing settler homes in Gaza, and expects to reach an agreement allowing Palestinian security forces to enter the settlements after the withdrawal to prevent theft and looting.
Sharon said on Sunday he hoped the pullout would lead to a resumption of peace talks, which broke down after the outbreak of the latest Palestinian uprising in September 2000. But he said future progress would depend on the Palestinians' ability to crack down on militants.
Israeli-Palestinian violence has dropped sharply since Sharon and Abbas declared the cease-fire, though sporadic fighting has continued.
RSS