Biden arrives in occupied West Bank to meet Palestinian president

By Qais Abu Samra

BETHLEHEM CITY, Palestine (AA) – US President Joe Biden arrived in Bethlehem in southern occupied West Bank on Friday for a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Palestinian and American national anthems were played at a ceremony to welcome Biden and he received a bouquet of flowers from two Palestinian girls.

Biden and Abbas have kicked off their meeting, according to the official Palestine TV, with the revival of the Palestine-Israel peace process and regional issues on top of the agenda.

They are expected to hold a press conference after the meeting, after which Biden will visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem before leaving for Jerusalem.

The US president is currently on a regional tour that includes stops in Israel, Palestine and Saudi Arabia.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar