Visiting EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana voiced hope on Sunday that a new peace opportunity would come after the Palestinian presidential election.

Speaking to reporters, Solana said that a new Palestinian leader should have an even greater legitimacy to push forward the Middle East peace process.

He said the new Palestinian leadership could lead the people to the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state living side by side with Israel peacefully.

"These are days of optimistic days and hope," said Solana, who is on the first leg of his regional tour.

He said a new peace negotiator is going to be elected, and hopefully a new window for peace is being opened and the EU will exert its utmost efforts to support the elected Palestinian leader and his prime minister.

On Jordan's role in the peace process, Solana said he is quite sure that Jordan would continue its role in the peace process.

Earlier in the day, Solana met separately with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Hani Mulki.

Solana arrived here on Sunday and will also travel to the Palestinian territories, Egypt and Israel.

The Palestinian presidential polls opened at 7:00 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Sunday and closed at 9:00 p.m. (1900 GMT).

An exit poll, conducted by the independent Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, showed that Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah's candidate, won 66 percent of votes, while Mustafa Barghouti, Abbas' main rival, garnered about 20 percent of votes, and five other candidates trailed far behind.

The winner of the historic race will replace late leader Yasser Arafat who died on Nov. 11 last year.

Source: Xinhua