RAMALLAH, Feb. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday met here with US Lieutenant-General William Ward who was appointed by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as security coordinator.

    In a visit to Ramallah, Rice proposed to Israel and the Palestinians to appoint a US security coordinator "to help the Palestinians rehabilitate their security apparatuses and observe its performance."

    Palestinian National Authority (PNA) spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeinah told reporters after Abbas' meeting with Ward that they discussed Palestinian steps adopted after the Sharm el-Sheikh summit held on Feb. 8 between Israel and the Palestinians on a ceasefire.

    Abu Rudeinah said Ward voiced Washington's readiness to help thePNA reform its security apparatuses.

    He added Ward would follow up on what he had agreed with Abbas.

    Rudeinah also said the PNA welcomed the renewed US efforts to help promote peace in the region, hoping this momentum would continue in the future.

    Abbas has promised to stop violence in the Palestinian territories and work hard to push forward the peace negotiations with Israel. Enditem