RAMALLAH, October 3, 2013 (WAFA) – Two of the three Arabic dailies highlighted on their front page on Thursday an Israeli plan to expand a settlement outpost in the Arab al-Tur neighborhood on the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem.

Al-Quds said the decision to expand the settlement came in light of the exposure about the building of a national park in a nearby area aimed at preventing expansion of two Palestinian neighborhoods, one of the is al-Tur.

Al-Ayyam said four buildings with 32 units will be constructed in the first phase of the settlement expansion.

Al-Hayat al-Jadida highlighted statements by US Secretary of State John Kerry telling a dinner held to encourage American businesses to invest in Palestine that President Abbas made many goodwill gestures for the success of the peace process.

The papers reported as well on the PLO executive committee meeting held Wednesday night in Ramallah and headed by Abbas.

They also said that the first group of Palestinian pilgrims has arrived in Mecca.

Al-Ayyam said the Palestinian security forces started a campaign to preserve law and order in the northern West Bank city of Jenin. It said dozens involved in riots and vandalism of public property were arrested.

It said Hamas government in Gaza has executed by hanging a Palestinian convicted of murder.

The papers also reported on the death of Ali Khalili, a known writer and poet who also served as editor of al-Fajr newspaper in the 1970s and 80s.

M.S.