RAMALLAH, May 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has described his potential meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as vital to push forward the Mideast peace process.

    Abbas told reporters late Saturday before his departure for Brazil to attend an Arab-South American summit that the meeting will focus on progress in implementing the Sharm el-Sheikh agreements and coordination of Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this summer.

    Abbas said the date of the meeting is still undetermined, but "contacts are being held between Palestinian and Israeli officials to prepare for it."

    Israel Radio reported Sharon's advisor Dov Weisglass will meet next week with chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat to continue discussions on implementing the agreements reached at the Feb. 8 summit between Abbas and Sharon in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik.

    Meanwhile, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) asked the Mideast quartet committee to press Israel to implement the Sharm El-Sheikh agreements.

    Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser al Qedwa said the PNA demanded the quartet committee of international mediators to urge Israel to deliver on its promise to hand over five West Bank cities and release 900 Palestinian prisoners.

    Israel has transferred the security control of Jericho and Tulkarem to the Palestinians, but the handover of the other three were put on hold, due to what Israel said a Palestinian failure to rein in militants.

    Israel also freed 500 Palestinian prisoners, but the release of the remaining 400 were postponed.

    Qedwa said a PNA representative will participate in the meeting of the Quartet Committee due in Moscow on Monday, which will discuss the Israeli pullout plan. Enditem