KUALA LUMPUR, March 4, SPA -- Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has called on the international community to respect the will of the Palestinian people in electing their leaders in free, fair and democratic elections. In this regard, he welcomed the Makkah Declaration adopted by the Palestinian leaders and expressed support for the establishment of the Palestinian unity government in Palestine. According to Bernama, the Prime Minister said this in his meeting with the Hamas' head of Political Bureau Khalid Meshaal at his office in Putrajaya Saturday. Meshaal, who was leading a delegation from Palestine on a visit to the country, also called on Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar. Meshaal briefed Abdullah on the current situation in Palestine, including the recent meeting of Palestinians in Makkah, which led to the agreement to establish the Palestinian unity government. He also discussed the peace process, in particular issues relating to the establishment of a sovereign and independent Palestinian state, Syed Hamid said in a statement. The minister said Abdullah reiterated Malaysia's commitment to support the Palestinian people in their struggle for a free and independent Palestinian state. Abdullah also called on the international community to support the Palestinian unity government and to lift the economic and financial sanctions imposed on the Palestinian National Authority. The statement said Abdullah reaffirmed that the Malaysian Government would continue to provide whatever assistance, within its means, to the Palestinian unity government. -- SPA www.spa.gov.sa/429957