Top Russian official meets Palestinian President Abbas

By Hacer Baser

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) -- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Sergei Naryshkin, head of the Russian foreign intelligence service in Ramallah, according to Palestinian media on Thursday.

The Palestinian News and Information Agency (WAFA) reported that Abbas and Naryshkin discussed recent developments in the region as well as the common interests of both countries.

During the meeting, Abbas emphasized the historical relations between Russia and Palestine. He expressed his satisfaction with Moscow's support of the Palestinian state and its people.

Abbas also informed Naryshkin about the latest political developments in Palestine and the steps taken regarding the recent national reconciliation.

The Russian official also expressed his country's support for the two-state solution to resolve the Israeli- Palestinian conflict as well as for achieving a lasting peace in the region based on international legitimacy.

Last month, Hamas and Fatah -- Palestine’s two leading political movements -- signed a landmark reconciliation agreement in Cairo aimed at ending a decade of rift.

International law views the West Bank and East Jerusalem as "occupied territories" and considers all Jewish settlement construction there as illegal.

Nevertheless, roughly 500,000 Israeli Jews currently live on more than 100 Jewish-only settlements built on these territories since 1967.