Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas met on Tuesday in Riyadh with King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia where they discussed the latest political developments related to the Palestinian issue and efforts by US President Donald Trump to revive the peace process.
According to the PA-run WAFA News Agency Abbas reviewed with the Saudi king the latest developments concerning the intra-Palestinian reconciliation file and current efforts to achieve national unity to end the division.
During the meeting both leaders discussed ways to enhance Palestinian-Saudi relations according to the same source.
Israel’s daily Haaretz also said Abbas’s travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday comes as a surprise visit.
A source close to Abbas told Haaretz that Abbas will head to Riyadh via Sharm el-Sheikh after meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. “The visit was not planned but after being in touch yesterday it was decided that Abbas would make a quick visit to Saudi Arabia.”
The Palestinian Ambassador in Riyadh Bassam al-Agha told Palestine Radio Monday morning that issues pertaining to both Palestinian and international matters will be discussed Haaretz added.
According to the same source it is quite likely that talks will focus on US presidential adviser Jared Kushner’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia. Economic assistance to the PA and rehabilitation of the Gaza Strip post-Palestinian reconciliation will also be discussed.
The Saudis are also likely to raise the issue of Iran’s involvement with the Palestinians particularly in light of senior Hamas officials’ recent trip to Iran.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Reyad al-Maliki and the General Intelligence Chief Majed Faraj along with Palestine’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Bassam al-Agha were in attendance.
