Rome, Dec. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said here on Friday that Jerusalem must be a city open to all religions and its city government should respond to the needs of both the Jewish and Arab communities.

    The Palestinian leader, who is also known as Abu Mazen, made his remarks after his meeting with Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi.

    Abbas confirmed that for the Palestine National Authority "political negotiation remains the only path towards peace" and urged the international community "and the European Union and the United States, in particular, to increase their commitment for the Road Map" to peace drawn up by the United States, European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

    For his part, Italian President Ciampi observed that it was "important not to prejudice the status of Jerusalem, a city dear to all religions and cultures".

    During their meeting, Ciampi said he had "above all reiterated Italy's continued and firm support for the goal of the Palestinian people; an independent and sovereign state which coexists with Israel in peace and security within clear and recognised borders".

    Ciampi added that Abbas "faced the grave task of maintaining law and order as well as combating and eroding support for terrorist and subversive groups. This key commitment is fundamental because violence is the main enemy of the peace process, suffocating dialogue, fostering resentment and fueling all extremisms".

    Ciampi then turned his attention to the upcoming elections in both Palestine and Israel and said these "can offer an occasion to encourage and strengthen dialogue and negotiation between Israelis and Palestinians".

    It is important to speed up the Middle East peace process, Ciampi concluded, because it constitutes "a fundamental step in the fight against international terrorism and the promotion of dialogue between civilizations". Enditem