Ramallah, West Bank, July 23, SPA -- Visiting U.S. Secretary ofState Condoleezza praised Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbasfor steps he has taken to enforce the rule of law in West Bank and Gaza. "I want to take this opportunity to commend PresidentAbbas and his leadership as well as that of his governmentfor their ongoing efforts to enforce the rule of law in theWest Bank and in Gaza," Rice said, speaking at a newsconference after her meeting with Abbas in Ramallah. "These efforts demonstrate the Palestinian leadership'scommitment to ensuring security and tracking down thosethat perpetrate violent attacks that only delay theachievement of a Palestinian state," Rice said, calling onAbbas to continue these efforts. "There is much work to bedone," she was quoted as saying by The Associated Press. Rice met with Abbas, Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, andPalestinian Interior Minister Nasser Yousef _ who isresponsible for the Palestinian security forces. "Rice demanded more Palestinian efforts to consolidatethe truce," said Palestinian Planning Minister GhassanKhatib, who attended one of the meetings. Israel and thePalestinians declared an end to the more-than four years ofviolence at a February summit in Egypt. Rice said free movement for the Palestinians was vital forthe economic future of the Gaza Strip. "That means whenthe Israelis withdraw from Gaza they cannot be sealed orisolated as an area, with the Palestinian people closed inafter that withdrawal," Rice said. Abbas said the Gaza withdrawal must be the first steptoward progressing with the "road map" peace plan, whichcalls for the establishment of a Palestinian statealongside Israel. "Israel should be aware that the withdrawal from Gazamust be a step in the road map and must be followedimmediately with the resumption of the political process,"Abbas said. Abbas also called on Israel to stop expanding West Banksettlements on land the Palestinians claim for their futurestate.--SPA1536 Local Time 1236 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/278623