In this photo released by the White House, President Bush talks with Palestinian president-elect Mahmoud Abbas from the Oval Office of the White House Monday, Jan. 10, 2005 in Washington. (AP photo)

US President George W. Bush on Monday telephoned Mahmud Abbas to congratulate him on his victory in the Palestinian PNA chairmanship election, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.

In their 10-minute conversation, McClellan said Bush invite Abbas to Washington at appropriate time.

"The president said his vision was one of a day when he and president-elect Abbas and Israel leaders can stand together and say 'we have peace,'" McClellan told reporters.

Bush pledged to help the Palestinian leadership work toward creating a "free and democratic" Palestinian state and "tackle key issues like security, terrorism, economic growth and building democratic institutions," McClellan said.

"President-elect Abbas thanked the president for his support and said it is important for all of us to seize this opportunity for peace," McClellan said.

The president also talked about a conference on Palestinian reforms that is to be held in London in March.

Mahmoud Abbas was formally declared the winner Monday of the Palestinian National Authority chairmanship election by capturing 62.3 percent of the vote in Sunday's poll.