We have agreed with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to cease all acts of violence against the Israelis and against the Palestinians wherever they are. Tranquility and quiet that will be witnessed and in our land, starting today, is the beginning for a new era.

At the same time he has performed diplomatic duties presenting a moderating face for PLO policies. He also called for Palestinian groups to end the use of arms against Israelis. Abbas was chosen as the President of the State of Palestine by the Palestine Liberation Organization's Central Council on 23 November 2008 a job he had held unofficially since 8 May 2005.

Mahmoud Abbas (Arabic: مَحْمُود عَبَّاس‎ Maḥmūd ʿAbbās; born 26 March 1935) also known by the kunya Abu Mazen (Arabic: أَبُو مَازِن‎ 'Abū Māzin) an Arab of the Sunni-Muslim faith has been the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) since 11 November 2004 and became President of the Palestinian National Authority on 15 January 2005 on the Fatah (فتح Fataḥ) ticket. Mahmoud Abbas was elected to serve until 9 January 2009 due to Palestinian Internal conflict he unilaterally extended his term for another year and continues in office even after that second deadline expired. Abbas was chosen as the President of the State of Palestine by the Palestine Liberation Organization's Central Council on 23 November 2008 a job he had held unofficially since 8 May 2005.