PRESIDENT ABBAS VISITS RIYADH

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001683 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2014 TAGS: PREL PGOV SA WB GZ IS EG SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ABBAS VISITS RIYADH Classified By: Ambassador James B. Smith for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (U) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas paid a visit to Riyadh on December 29. According to the official Saudi Press Agency report, the two leaders discussed Palestinian developments and the "stalled" peace process, citing the need for greater international help in restarting peace talks aimed at "achieving a comprehensive solution in the region" consistent with the Arab Peace Initiative. Abbas was accompanied by senior Peace negotiator Saeb Erekat, Central Committee member Azaam Al-Ahmed, Palestinian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jamal Abdulatif Al-Shubaki and Palestinian Presidential Advisor Nabil Abu Rudainah. On the Saudi side, the meeting was attended by FM Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. President Abbas and his delegation also met separately with Riyadh Governor Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: This was Abbas' first visit to Riyadh since he left "empty-handed" June 21. It comes on the heels of President Mubarak's recent Gulf tour, which included a stop in Riyadh on December 22-23, and coincides with Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit to Cairo on December 29. As such, Abbas's visit may be a part of Egyptian efforts to build support for a resumption of peace negotiations. Post will follow up with Palestinian Embassy contacts for further details of the meeting. END COMMENT. SMITH