RAMALLAH, July 10, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas will receive on Monday Head of the Democratic Party of Italy, Pier Luigi Bersani, in the presidential headquarter in Ramallah.

Nimer Hammad, Abbas’ political advisor, said in a joint interview with WAFA and AGI (Agenzia Giornalistica Italia) that the meeting will discuss the peace process, the internal Palestinian reconciliation and the Palestinian bid to seek United Nations recognition of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders if negotiations with Israel failed.

“There are international efforts to resume negotiations in light of the Quartet’s final statement following its anticipated meeting on Monday,” Hammad said.

He praised Bersani’s support of the Palestinians’ rights to freedom and independence throughout his career in the Italian left wing and as a former official in the former Italian Communist Party.

Hammad also noted the recent significant success of the Democratic Party of Italy in the last local elections, thus making Bersani the de facto Parliamentary leader of Opposition in Italy.

R.Q.