Who is Mahmound Abbas? [br] [originaltext] Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas extended his hand in peace Monday, his first gesture toward Israel since his landslide victory in presidential elections. His remarks added to the sense of optimism felt in the region since Abbas’ election Sunday. The victory, which capped a peaceful transition of power after the Nov. 11 death of Yasser Arafat, has raised hopes around the world that peace talks could soon resume.