Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas announced Tuesday that he reached an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel on mutual ceasefire to put an end to more than four years of conflict.

"We have agreed with Sharon to cease all acts of violence against the Israelis and the Palestinians wherever they are," Abbas said in a statement at the end of a four-way summit in this Egyptian Red Sea resort.

"The calmness that dominates our territories starting from today is a real new beginning for a real fact of peace and hope," Abbas said.

"What we declared today represents the implementation of the first part of the roadmap which is a very important step that would bring an opportunity to resume the political process and bring it back on track, where the two peoples gain hope and trust back and have a possibility to achieve peace," he added.

He further noted that both Israel and the Palestinians have big and joint responsibilities to "protect this born opportunity for achieving comprehensive peace."

"We have to reinforce this opportunity and develop it and gain back the political partnership and approve the principle of mutuality and avoid carrying out unilateral steps, actions and decisions," said the Palestinian leader.

Although the summit was viewed as the start of bridging the gaps, Abbas also pointed out that there are still disputes over settlements, the Palestinian prisoners and the Palestinian institutions in east Jerusalem.

Abbas reiterated the Palestinians' commitments to boosting the peace process and implementing the internationally backed roadmap peace plan aimed at establishing an independent Palestinian state living in peace and side by side with Israel.

Source: Xinhua