Palestinian president Abbas meets King Salman in Saudi Arabia

Abbas visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks with King Salman amid ongoing controversy over US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

21 December, 2017

Abbas visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks with King Salman on Wednesday. [Getty]

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for talks with King Salman amid ongoing controversy over US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Trump's 6 December decision to recognise Jerusalem broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing strong condemnation.

King Salman reassured the Palestinian leader that Saudi Arabia continues to support the right of Palestinians to an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, state news agency SPA reported.

The two leaders also discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, it said. A dozen Saudi princes and officials also attended the meeting.

Saudi Arabia condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said any decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem before a permanent peace settlement is reached would inflame the feelings of Muslims, official media reported.

Despite Saudi King Salman warning Trump against the controversial move, the domestic response has been muted while Saudi media has appeared to be attempting to limit Israeli criticism.

Riyadh has reportedly forbidden peaceful protests in support of the Palestinians or stands of solidarity.

Sources have claimed that Riyadh has ordered media outlets not to focus "too much attention" on Washington's controversial decision.

Earlier this month, reports said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had suggested a Palestinian state on non-contiguous parts of the occupied West Bank with limited sovereignty during a meeting with Abbas in November.

Riyadh also reportedly suggested that Abu Dis, a suburb of East Jerusalem cut off by Israel's separation barrier, could be the Palestinian capital, according to a Lebanese official who spoke to Abbas following his Saudi talks.