Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon phoned Mahmoud Abbas yesterday to congratulate him on his election as Palestinian president and offer cooperation, the highest-level contact between the sides in nearly four years. Abbas's predecessor Yasser Arafat last spoke to Sharon by telephone in February 2001 to congratulate him on his election victory. Sharon's office said he spoke with Abbas for 10 minutes and welcomed his landslide election victory on a platform of non-violence. "He wished him success and the two agreed they would talk again soon," it said in a statement. A senior government official quote Sharon as telling Abbas: "I am offering you our cooperation." He said Sharon and Abbas spoke about a meeting in general terms but no date was set.