GAZA, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Saturday pledged his country's political support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the peace process in the Middle East.

    In a joint news conference after an hour-long meeting with Abbas in Gaza city, Steinmeier said that he believed Abbas was the capable person to reach understandings with Israel on the way towards reinforcing stability in the region.

    Steinmeier also expressed hope that the living conditions of the Palestinians would be improved so as to make lasting calmness and stability in the Middle East.

    Steinmeier, whose country is to take over the presidency of the European Union (EU) for six months starting from January 2007, also said that "we will contribute to warming up the role of the Quartet and support the peace process."

    The International Quartet on the Middle East groups the UN, the U.S., Russia and the EU.

    Steinmeier did not meet with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Zahar from the Hamas movement.

    The Hamas-led government is boycotted by the west for not abiding by the Quartet's demands to recognize Israel and renounce violence.