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 62.32 percent of votes cast, while his main competitor, independent candidate Mustafa Barghouti, netted 19.7, the Palestinian central elections commission said.

    Bush hailed the "largely free and fair" Palestinian elections soon after the announcement of the result.

    "I am heartened by today's strong turnout in the Palestinian elections. Palestinians throughout the West Bank and Gaza took a key step toward building a democratic future by choosing a new president in elections that observers describe as largely free and fair."

    "This is a historic day for the Palestinian people and for the people of the Middle East," he said in a statement after the polls in Palestine closed.

    Bush said he looks forward to working with the new Palestinian president and the Palestinian people to realize their aspirations of establishing the Palestinian state, and to advance the cause of Middle East peace. Enditem