RAMMALAH, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian official sources revealed on Saturday that new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will hold a landmark summit on Feb. 8.

   The sources said Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei will participate in the summit, which will focus on concrete steps to be taken for the revival of the long-stalled peace process.

   The sources said after the summit, Abbas will head to the Gaza Strip for talks with militant groups on finalizing a formal ceasefire if Israel agrees on demands by the Palestinian side that Israel stop targeted killings and incursions and release Palestinian prisoners.

   Meanwhile, the Palestinian side wants Israel to implement the first step of the roadmap peace plan that stipulates a mutual ceasefire and an end to violence.

   Attacks on Israeli targets have dropped sharply during the past few days, as Abbas ordered the deployment of thousands of security forces across Gaza to curb violence, a step considered crucial to the resumption of peace negotiations. 

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