WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- US President George W. Bush said on Monday that he would welcome newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to the White House.

    "I offer my congratulations to Abu Mazen. I look forward to talking to him at the appropriate time. I look forward to welcoming him here to Washington if he chooses to come here," Bush told reporters at the White House.

    Abbas, 69, also known as Abu Mazen, won Sunday's Palestinian presidential election with 62.32 percent of the vote, according to official results.

    Abbas was declared the winner of the election with 62.32percent of votes cast, while his main competitor, independent candidate Mustafa Barghouti, netted 19.7 percent, the Palestinian central elections commission said. Enditem