Palestinians demand help from US

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said today he will demand US President George Bush provide the Palestinians with strong political and financial support during a meeting next week.

Abbas’ White House meeting with Bush on Thursday could give the Palestinian leader a much-needed boost just as he is about to go head-to-head with his top rival – Hamas – in a parliamentary election, and prepares for the difficult task of taking over Gaza Strip areas Israel is to evacuate this summer.