RAMALLAH, May 21, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas received in his office in Ramallah on Saturday the US Consul General Daniel Rubinstein, according to a brief statement issued by Abbas’ office.

It said Abbas briefed Rubinstein on the political situation in the area following US President Barack Obama’s speech, without giving any more details.

The visit came two days after Obama had said in his Middle East speech that Palestinian-Israeli negotiations should be based on the 1967 borders with slight changes, a demand that the Palestinians have been making for a while, and which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had immediately rejected.

Obama had also sent a stern warning to the Palestinian Authority not to go the United Nations in September seeking international recognition of the 1967 borders of the Palestinian state, promising to fight this move if it does take place.

Abbas had said following Obama’s speech that he will convene an emergency meeting the PLO’s political decision-making body and will consult with Arab leaders before responding to what came in Obama’s speech.

The meeting, which was expected within 24 hours of the speech, had been postponed until after Abbas consultation with Arab leaders.

M.A.