PARIS, December 22, 2017 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Friday held talks with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

He briefed Macron on the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories and the contacts he is making with worldwide leaders in order to “safeguard Jerusalem from imminent dangers”.

Abbas and Macron discussed the implications of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, in a meeting which came on the heels of UN General Assembly’s vote in favor of the draft resolution rejecting the US decision on Jerusalem.

Abbas thanked Macron for his country’s positions in support of Palestine, most recent of which was France’s voting in favor of the UNGA draft resolution on Jerusalem.

On his part, Macron reiterated his country’s position in support of reaching a peaceful solution for the Palestinian question based on the two-state solution.

The meeting was attended by a host of Palestinian officials, namely member of Fatah Central Committee and Head of the Civil Affairs Authority Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the General Intelligence Service Majid Faraj, Presidential Advisor for Diplomatic Affairs Majdi al-Khaldi, and the Palestinian ambassador to Paris Salman al-Harfi.

Also in attendance of the meeting were a host of French officials, including French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

K.F./M.H