Palestinian President to Visit Italy Monday

Arab World

November 1st, 8:34am

Rome - Asharq Al-Awsat

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas walks with Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (unseen) as they review the honor guard in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on July 22, 2015.REUTERS/Ammar Awad

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled on Monday to start an official visit to Rome, which will include meetings with the Italian president and prime minister, and the Pope at the Vatican. In an interview with the official Voice of Palestine radio station, the Palestinian ambassador to Italy, Abeer Odeh, said Abbas will arrive in Rome on Monday on a four-day visit. Abbas will meet his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday and Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Wednesday, Odeh added. She pointed out that the Palestinian President will hold a meeting with Pope Francis on Thursday. Abbas’ visit will focus on the latest Palestinian developments, Israeli violations in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, according to the Anadolu Agency. Abbas ordered earlier the national flag to be flown at half-mast on November 2 of each year marking the anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, as reported by WAFA News Agency. The decree aims to remind the world in general and namely the UK of acting responsibly to enable the Palestinians of enjoying their basic rights in independence, freedom, and the right to return.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3278526/palestinian-president-visit-italy-monday