Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday in Washington that he told US President George W. Bush that he had "deep concern" over Israel's settlement activities that had caused despair among Palestinians.

"We expressed our deep concern over the continuation of Israeli settlement activities and construction of the (security) Wall on our land, particularly in the area of Jerusalem," Abbas told a press conference after talks with Bush.

"These settlement activities -- in addition to undermining President Bush's vision of the establishment of a contiguous and viable state of Palestine alongside the state of Israel -- have contributed to the feelings of frustration, despair and loss of hope," Abbas said.

Source: Xinhua