Saudi Arabia 'told Abbas to accept US peace plan or resign'

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was told by Saudi Arabia to accept a new US peace plan or resign, according to Israeli media.

Abbas made an unexpected visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh last week to meet with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman when the instruction was made, Israel's Channel 10 news reported on Sunday.

The meeting came shortly after the resignation of Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri in Saudi Arabia with speculation mounting that Riyadh is keeping the leader "prisoner".

US President Donald Trump's team have been reportedly putting together a new peace plan based on a two state solution, the New York Times reported.

Abbas was told to "accept Trump's peace plan or quit" by Riyadh, Israeli media noted, and also instructed to avoid any dealings with Iran following hightened tensions between the two countries.

Several Palestinian figures have moved closer to Iran while Hamas deputy political chief Saleh al-Arouri visited Tehran last month.

Abbas has reportedly been given Saudi Arabia's full backing in Fatah's dispute with Hamas over creating a centralised military authority that would see the Gaza-based Islamist group disarmed.

"Coordinating positions with the Saudis is most vital because it means coordination with most of the Gulf States that can provide the PA [Palestinian Authority] with an economic safety net," a Palestinian official told Haaretz.

Palestinian media based in the West Bank have taken a more critical line on Iran in recent weeks.

Saudi Arabia and Israel have reporteldy been working together to limit the influence of Iran in the region.