Interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has addressed an election rally of thousands in the West Bank town of Tulkarem, ahead of January 9th's presidential election.

Abbas told his supporters that "neither the settlements nor the wall" would bring peace and security to Israel.

"When the martyr Yasser Arafat initiated his call for peace and negotiations, it was so that we can get our rights. So neither the settlements nor the wall will bring peace and security. And we say to our neighbours, no matter what you build, whether a wall or settlements or obstacles, this will not bring you peace or security."

Earlier on Wednesday, Abbas held his first election rally in Jericho, where he was also warmly received by about four-thousand supporters.

Israel is quietly backing Abbas, who is the clear front-runner in opinion polls -- considering him a moderate pragmatist.

But with his constant references to Arafat's legacy, some Israelis wonder if Abbas is trying to trade on Arafat's popularity, or whether, once in office, he will be as uncompromising as his predecessor. Enditem