Abbas visits Saudi Arabia’s King Salman to discuss Trump peace plans

The discussion also included last month’s reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas

HRH King Salman of Saudi Arabia receives Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas. Saudi Press Agency

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited Saudi Arabia’s King Salman on Tuesday to discuss US President Donald Trump’s plans to re-start Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

The trip, which was organised the day before it was announced, saw Mr Abbas travel to the Saudi ruler’s palace in Riyadh.

The discussion also included last month’s reconciliation between Mr Abbas’ secular nationalist Fatah movement and the Islamist group Hamas, ending a 10-year rift.

"During the session, the (two leaders) reviewed the latest developments in the Palestinian arena," Saudi Arabia's Press Agency said in a statement.

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Under the landmark accord, which was brokered in Cairo, the Palestinian Authority, which is dominated by the Fatah party, will resume full control of the Gaza Strip by December 1.

The Palestinian Authority took control of Gaza’s borders with Egypt and Israel last week, marking the first key test of the agreement.

Hamas and Fatah are set to return to the Egyptian capital for further talks this month.

Mr Trump has said he plans to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, which broke down in 2014, in an attempt to bring an end to the decades-long conflict.