Abbas has played 'critical role' in Mideast peace process: Miliband

"I think that it is very important that we say very clearly that, from our point of view, he has not just achievements to his credit but he also has a major role in the future," he added in reaction to Abbas's decision not to participate in January elections in the Palestinian territories.
While saying that he did not want to prejudice "difficult decisions that lie ahead" for Abbas, Miliband stressed that the Palestinian leader enjoyed "huge respect around the world."
Britain's top diplomat added that he wanted to "make sure" to speak with Abbas personally.
Palestinian officials said that Abbas's announcement was motivated by his disappointment with Washington on the issue of Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.
After months of pressuring Israel for a complete settlement freeze, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently praised Israel's offer of limited restrictions on construction as "unprecedented".
Abbas did not connect his decision directly to the deadlocked peace process, but said he was "surprised" by Washington's apparent decision not to insist on a complete Israeli settlement freeze.
Miliband was in Sarajevo on Friday for series of talks with Bosnian leaders about the post-war country's stalled reform process.
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