Palestinian president meets Iraqi premier in Baghdad

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd Al-Mahdi on Sunday as part of his official visit to Iraq’s capital Baghdad, according to local media.

Abbas and Al-Mahdi discussed developments in Palestine and the violations in Jerusalem.

"Iraq has a strong regional position that can support meeting the demands of the Palestinian people," Abd Al-Mahdi said during the meeting.

"By recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the U.S. showed that it is not neutral," Abbas said in his part.

Earlier today, Abbas also met with Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi in Jordan's capital Amman at a conference 'Jerusalem is the Eternal Capital of Palestine'.

Abbas is also expected to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Barham Salih in Baghdad.

In 2018, Trump sparked an international outcry by announcing plans to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and recognize the city as Israel’s capital.

Since the move last May, the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah has rejected any mediating role by the U.S. in the moribund Middle East peace process.

International law continues to view East Jerusalem, along with the entire West Bank, as "occupied territory" and considers all Jewish settlement construction there to be illegal.