RAMALLAH, Jan. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Newly-elected Palestinian National Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday the Palestinians are ready to carry out their obligations under the "road map" peace plan, which was launched in June 2003 only to be shelved months later.

    Abbas, who was elected president of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in a landslide victory Sunday, told visiting church leaders that he remained committed to the "road map" which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel.

    "The Palestinian National Authority is ready to implement the 'road map' at once," said the 69-year-old Fatah movement veteran, who has spoken out against Palestinian militants' attacks on the Israelis.

    "This blueprint sets out mutual obligations and we will fulfillall our obligations. We hope that Israel will also carry out its obligations."

    The "road map" was sponsored by the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. In the first of the three phases outlined by the plan, Israel is to freeze "all settlement activities" on the occupied land and withdraw its forces from areas occupied since Sept. 28, 2000 when massive clashes broke outbetween the Palestinians and Israelis.

    Abbas welcomed the recent reshaping of the Israeli cabinet and urged the new Israeli coalition to fulfill its commitments under the "road map."

    The Israeli parliament approved a new coalition government Sunday, bringing the Labor Party back to the government. Labor leader Shimon Peres and Abbas were chief negotiators behind the historical Oslo peace deal signed in 1993.

    "We have a new Palestinian Authority and Israel has a new government with the Labor party on board which is a positive element for the peace process," Abbas said.

    He said both Israelis and Palestinians were responsible for thefuture of the peace process stalled in the past four years.

    "The Palestinians and Israelis must work towards changes on theground to garner wide support for peace," he said.

    However, Abbas' call for cease-fire has met a cold shoulder from main Palestinian militant groups. Renewed violence Thursday cast a cloud over the prospects of Abbas' attempts to rein in the armed groups.

    Five Israelis were killed and four wounded Thursday in a suicide attack at the Karni crossing between Israel and southern Gaza Strip, the first such attack by Palestinians since Abbas' election.

    Three Palestinian groups -- the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas and the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees -- claimed joint responsibility for the attack.

    The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, part of the Fatah movement, had made it clear it would continue "resistance as long as one occupier remains on our land," while Hamas had set Israel's removal of checkpoints and halt of raids on Palestinians as prerequisites for Hamas' change of tactics. Enditem