RAMALLAH, Thursday, June 27, 2019 (WAFA) – Chilean President Sebastian Piñera arrived in Ramallah on Thursday on an official visit.

Upon his arrival, Piñera planted an olive tree in Chile Street, located near the presidential headquarters, laid wreath at the grave of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and toured Yasser Arafat’s Museum.

Piñera and President Mahmoud Abbas reviewed the honor guard during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential headquarters.

Chile historically has strong relations with Palestine and is home to the world’s largest Palestinian community outside of the Middle East, amounting to around 500,000 people.

Last year, Abbas made an official visit to Chile, during which Piñera said: “Palestine has the right and the support of Chile to be a free, independent, sovereign and autonomous country, and the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination.”

Chile also supported UN resolution 67/19, which upgraded Palestine to non-member observer state status in the UN, and has officially recognised the State of Palestine since January 2011.

K.F.