Omani FM set to visit Palestine for talks on Jerusalem

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) – Omani Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi is expected to arrive in the Palestinian territories on Tuesday for talks with President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a Palestinian official.

He will also meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and senior officials to discuss a controversial U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Foreign Ministry undersecretary Tayseer Jaradat told Anadolu Agency.

The Omani minister will also visit occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank cities of Bethlehem, Hebron and Nablus during his three-day visit, he said.

Jaradat underlined the importance of visits by Arab officials “to see developments in the occupied Palestinian lands and to support Palestinian steadfastness”.

In December, U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, triggering world outcry and protests in the occupied lands -- and multiple clashes with Israeli troops -- that have left at least 25 Palestinians dead.

The holy city remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- currently occupied by Israel -- might one day serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.