US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shakes hands with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas following talks in the West Bank city of Ramallah. Rice warned that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories must not block any final Middle East peace agreement. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope on Sunday that the United States would help push Israelis towards striking a permanent peace agreement with Palestinians before the end of 2008.

Speaking at a joint press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice following their meeting in Ramallah, Abbas asked Rice to "help us to convince Israel of being committed to stopping settlements activities."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gestures during the meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah June 15, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"We consider settlements activities a major obstacle that obstructs any development in the peace process," Abbas said, adding "as settlements activities increase, we of course face obstacles to achieve peace."

Abbas said he has talked with Rice about Egypt's efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Palestinian militants based in the Gaza Strip, adding "we want a truce that ends our people's suffering and lift the Israeli blockade."