EAST JERUSALEM, December 21, 2006, (WAFA)- The French Consulate, in East Jerusalem, said Thursday that the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë is due to visit the Palestinian Territories tomorrow.

In a press release issued today, the Consulate said that Delanoë will meet, with the President of the Palestinian National Authority, M. Mahmoud Abbas. "

It added that during the 3-day- visit, (22 to 25 of December), Delanoë will meet with several mayors of Palestinian cities and will discuss with them issues related to cooperation and dialogue with the city of Paris as well as the regional developments in the area.

"The Mayor of Paris will reaffirm the solidarity of our capital with the Palestinian civilian population," the Consulate said in the press release.

It added that the city council of Paris has already voted last June and last December two grants for a global amount of 100.000 € for the purchase of medicine and the upgrading of access to drinkable water in Palestinian hospitals.

"In Jerusalem, meetings with a group of NGO's "The coalition for Jerusalem" will help assess the initiatives engaged by the local civil society," it said.

The Consulate pointed out that on December 24th , Bertrand Delanoë will attend midnight mass at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem.

S.A.S. (17.35P) (15.35GMT)