OSLO, NORWAY, APRIL 26, SPA -- PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS SAID WEDNESDAY THAT HE WAS READY TO LEAD NEGOTIATIONS WITH ISRAEL, AND THAT THE ELECTION OF A HAMAS GOVERNMENT WAS NO OBSTACLE. "AS PRESIDENT OF THE PALESTINIAN LIBERATION ORGANIZATION, THE SOLE LEGITIMATE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, AND AS ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE PALESTINIAN NATIONAL AUTHORITY, I AM READY TO IMMEDIATELY RESUME NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT," ABBAS SAID. --SPA 1205 Local Time 0905 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/356337