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Saudi, Jordan Kings Meet on Palestinian Issue | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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RIYADH (AFP) – King Abdullah II of Jordan and Saudi King Abdullah discussed the Palestinian problem on Tuesday, the official news agency SPA said, amid a swirl of regional diplomacy aimed at restarting Middle East peace talks.

“During the meeting they discussed the overall situation in the Arab world, particularly developments in the Palestinian case and efforts to achieve peace in the region,” SPA said.

The Jordanian leader’s one-day visit came in the wake of visits to regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Mishal.

The Saudis hoping to push the two into a pact of reconciliation that would enhance their position in possible peace negotiations with Israel, according to Arab diplomats.

Other meetings appeared to be aimed at gathering support from other Arab states for a deal.

Mishal met on Tuesday with officials in Bahrein while Abbas was in Qatar and Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal flew to Damascus on Tuesday to meet Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He will then travel to the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, whose government has overseen reconciliation talks between the two leading Palestinian factions.

On Sunday, Mishal told journalists in Riyadh a pact was very near, but that Hamas still had differences with some of Egypt’s proposals. He did not offer details.