European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana on Sunday lauded Palestinian efforts to work for peace in the Middle East after the death of former leader Yasser Arafat.

"Palestinians, both citizens and leaders, showed extraordinary maturity in such a difficult period following the death of Yasser Arafat," Solana told Catalunya Radio.

Earlier this month, Solana met newly-elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and pledged strong support to him.

Last Friday, Palestinian security forces were deployed in the northern Gaza Strip to prevent militant attacks on Israel. The EU is one of the four sponsors of the "road map" peace plan, which also include the United States, Russia and the United Nations.

Source: Xinhua