JEDDAH, 1 January 2006 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday held talks with Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh on the situation in Palestine and Iraq as well as the tension between Syria and Lebanon.
Speaking to Arab News, Palestine Ambassador Mustafa Deeb said the talks also covered the financial crisis facing the Palestinian Authority.
“King Abdullah has given his instructions to rapidly support the Palestinian Authority in order to carry out its mission effectively,” said Deeb, who had attended the talks.
He said the Palestinian president thanked the Kingdom for its continuous support.
King Abdullah is an ardent supporter of the Palestinian cause. He has raised the issue at international forums and during his meetings with world leaders.
Crown Prince Sultan, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Prince Muqrin, chief of intelligence, attended the Saudi-Palestinian talks at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
President Abbas was in the Kingdom on the first leg of a Gulf tour.
In another development, King Abdullah received a group of citizens from Bisha in the Asir region, who pledged their allegiance to the king and the crown prince.
