U.S. Strenghtens Support Offer to Abbas

By KARIN LAUB

RAMALLAH, West Bank – The U.S. strengthened its offer of support for President Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday, telling him an international aid embargo against the Palestinians would end as soon as he forms a new government without Hamas, aides to Abbas said.

The United States and European Union have backed Abbas in light of the upheaval that has remade the Palestinian territories. Jacob Walles, the American consul-general in Jerusalem, said Saturday he expects Washington to lift the 15-month economic embargo.

"I expect that we are going to be engaged with this government," Walles said. "I expect that early next week. There will be some announcements in Washington, specifically about our assistance and about the financial regulations."