Abbas meets Saudi crown prince on Palestinian developments

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Wednesday to discuss the latest developments in the occupied territories.

According to Palestinian state news agency Wafa, the talks between the two sides dwelt on the Palestinian-Saudi relations, regional developments and ways to strengthen bilateral coordination at all levels.

During the meeting, Abbas hailed the Saudi support for the Palestinian people “to regain their legitimate rights to freedom, independence and sovereignty in a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

Bin Salman, for his part, reiterated the kingdom’s "firm stances in support of the Palestinian cause and for the Palestinian people to obtain their freedom and independence," Wafa said.

Abbas arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for a visit that coincided with the arrival of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in the kingdom.

It is not yet clear whether the two Palestinian rivals would meet during their stay in Saudi Arabia.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar