Hamas Wins Election, Rice Supports Abbas

Reuters reports that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday and voiced continued support for him after his Fatah party lost to Hamas in an election, a presidential aide said.

"She told President Abbas the U.S. administration will continue to back him and his policies," presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah said. "She listened to his point of view and they agreed to continue contacts."