Ahern praises summit success

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday hailed the successful outcome of a summit between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Mr Ahern congratulated the two leaders on their efforts to maintain calm and urged them to develop the new potential for effective negotiations and a real political breakthrough.

He said the agreement on a ceasefire at talks in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik marked an important opportunity.