BERLIN, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- German leaders on Monday sent messages to Mahmoud Abbas to congratulate him for winning the presidential election in Palestine.

    German President Horst Koehler said that the election of Abbas was a signal of hope and marked a "historical moment in the history of Palestinian people".

    The Palestinian Central Election Committee announced Monday that Abbas -- head of the Palestinian Liberation Organization --had won the election with 62.32 percent of the vote. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said that Abbas won thePalestinian presidency at a moment when the Middle East peace process has a new chance.

    "Together with its European partners, Germany will try its best to support you on your way to creating a independent, livable and democratic state within the framework of a comprehensive and justified peace solution," Schroeder said.

    Schroeder also invited Abbas to visit Germany in near future. Enditem