Washington, July 10, 2010, SPA -- The White House on Friday said that U.S. President Barack Obama and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas spoke over the phone. During the call, Obama "expressed strong support for President Abbas's leadership on behalf of the Palestinian people and his commitment to peace," the White House said in a statement released to the press. "The President noted the positive momentum generated by the recent improvements on the ground in Gaza and in the West Bank, the restraint shown by both sides in recent months, and progress in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks. He and President Abbas reviewed ways to advance to direct talks in the near term, in order to reach an agreement that ends the conflict, and establishes an independent and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel," the White House Press Office said. "The President noted that Special Envoy Mitchell would travel to the region soon and meet with President Abbas to build on this momentum to advance our common goals." --SPA 11:27 LOCAL TIME 08:27 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/800478