Nablus, West Bank, Jan 6, SPA -- Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that he considersIsraeli leader Ariel Sharon a partner for peace talks andcalled for an immediate resumption of negotiations afterthe Palestinian election. After the (Sunday's) elections, we will start negotiations," Abbastold a news conference in Nablus, the West Bank's largestcity. Asked whether Sharon is a partner, Abbas said: "ArielSharon is an elected leader and we will negotiate with him.We will put the road map on the table and say that we areready to implement it completely," he said. The road map, a peace plan calling for the establishmentof an independent Palestinian state, has been stalled formore than a year. "I can't say that Ariel Sharon is not a partner, butwhether or not he is serious we will explore it," headded.--SPA1447 Local Time 1147 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/230454