Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Saturday on the United Nations Security Council to hold an urgent meeting to stop the Israeli air and ground offensives on the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said in a statement sent to the press that President Abbas called on the Security Council to convene immediately "to halt and stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip."

He added that "President Abbas intensified his contacts with Arab and foreign countries to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip without any preconditions."

President Abbas also called on the international community "to carry its responsibilities towards Gaza Strip population," said Erekat.

Abbas' call came shortly after Israeli decided to start a ground operation into the blockaded enclave.

Erekat also said that President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian leadership "strongly condemn the criminal Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and held the Israeli government responsible for the outcomes of the offensive.

Meanwhile, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the presidency spokesman told reporters that President Abbas continues his efforts and contacts with the Security Council "to stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip."

(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2008)