BEIJING, Sept. 4 -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has said Middle East peace talks should resume immediately after Israel completes its Gaza withdrawal.

    The Palestinian leader noted he doesn't expect to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly gathering in New York mid-September.

    Abbas said during his stay in New York, he would hold talks with US, Russian and British leaders on helping the Palestinians rebuild what had been destroyed by the Israeli occupation.

    Meanwhile, Abbas expressed hope that a Palestinian state will be established by next year.

    He also pledged to bring diverse militias from the ruling Fatah movement under central control within three weeks.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com/Agencies)