RAMALLAH, Dec. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- A Palestinian official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday the European countries allocated 13 million US dollars to support the Palestinian elections.

    Yasser al-Najjar, general director of Europe department in the ministry, said the amount might increase and come in the context of European efforts to create democratic atmosphere and support the political and administrative reforms in the Palestinian National Authority.

    In addition to the financial support, around 2,000 international observers will arrive in the Palestinian lands to monitor the Palestinian presidential elections due to be held on Jan. 9, 2005, Najjar said.

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