(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 13 - President Sergio Mattarella met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Rome on Friday and expressed "concern over what is happening in the West Bank and East Jerusalem with (Israeli) settlements that contradict UN resolutions with violence against Palestinians.
    "Once there is a ceasefire in Gaza, the Palestinian Authority will have to play a central role," the head of State continued.
    .
    "Since the horror of October 7, an unacceptable spiral of violence has opened in Gaza, affecting civilians, women and children.
    "We are committed to a real, definitive ceasefire and to the release of hostages in the hands of Hamas.
    "We hope for an immediate two-States, two-peoples solution.
    "Without this prospect, there will always be outbreaks of violence".
    During the meeting Abbas called on Italy to officially recognise the State of Palestine, Palestinian agency Wafa reported.
    (ANSA).