BEIJING, Aug. 10 -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has announced that Palestinian National Authority elections will be held in January next year. But he did not give an exact date.

    The elections were originally supposed to take place in July, but the Israeli plan to withdraw from Gaza prompted a delay.

    Abbas appealed to Palestinians to ensure calm during Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, saying an orderly transfer of power would help the Palestinian cause of independence.

    He urged militants to honour the ceasefire with Israel that has been broken by both sides.

    Abbas also warned against looting, saying abandoned land is for all the Palestinian people, and urged against "excessive celebrations."

    (Source: cctv.com)