[02 February 2005] RAMALLAH,(Saba) - New Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has accepted an invitation to pay an official visit to Iran, a senior Palestinian official said on Wednesday.

Israel has welcomed Abbas's bid to end violence and talk peace with it but accuses arch-enemy Iran of trying to scuttle moves to Middle East peace by continuing to back Palestinian militant factions. ``Abu Mazen has received an invitation to visit Iran.

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SABA