Palestine president, Saudi king discuss Jerusalem issue

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh, with whom he discussed recent developments pertaining to Jerusalem.

At the meeting, Abbas briefed the Saudi king on steps he is taking to “safeguard Jerusalem from the threats it is facing”, according to Palestine’s official WAFA news agency.

Wednesday’s meeting comes exactly two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

At the meeting, Abbas praised what he described as "the international consensus in support of the Palestinian people and cause and rejection of the U.S. decision [on Jerusalem]".

The Palestinian president also commended Saudi Arabia’s stance on Jerusalem and the Palestine issue.

On Tuesday, Abbas arrived in Saudi Arabia from where he will travel to France on Thursday to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

On Dec. 6, the U.S. president recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking protests and condemnation across the Arab and Muslim world.

The historic city remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a Palestinian state.