Rome - Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is "deeply optimistic" on chances for peace in the Middle East, according to Rome's mayor who met the Palestinian leader on Friday.

"Abu Mazen (Mahmoud Abbas) has confirmed a deep optimism on the possibility to carry forward the Road Map and the peace process," Mayor Gianni Alemanno said.

Abbas who was in the Italian capital Friday was later scheduled to meet Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and attend a joint news conference.

Alemanno said Rome was "offering its candidacy as a venue for countries involved in the peace process," between Israel and the Palestinian people.

A former neo-Fascist, Alemanno, who in April won municipal elections for Berlusconi's centre-right, announced he would visit Israel and the Palestinian territories in September.

The visit would serve to present several Rome-sponsored co- operation projects, he said.

Abbas' presence in Rome is "proof of the unanimous recognition, from all stakeholders in the region, of the support our country (Italy)" can make towards peace," said Italy's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

Abbas met Foreign Minister Franco Frattini for lunch before talks with Berlusconi in the late afternoon. (dpa)