Palestinian President Abbas begins visit to Pakistan

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has started his three-day visit to Pakistan, will inaugurate the newly constructed Palestine Embassy Complex in Islamabad on Tuesday, officials said.

President Abbas, accompanied by a 17-member delegation including five ministers, arrived in the Pakistani capital late Monday. Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain received the Palestinian leader on his arrival.

This is Abbas' third visit to Pakistan. He has previously been to Pakistan in 2005 and 2013.

During the visit, the Palestinian president will have a one-on-one meeting with Pakistan's prime minister, followed by delegation-level talks, a foreign ministry statement said.

Abbas and his delegation will also meet with the president of Pakistan, followed by a state banquet in his honor. Bilateral political issues as well as other issues of common interests will be discussed between the two heads of state.

President Hussain told the Palestinian president at the reception ceremony that Pakistani people kept the Palestinians close to their hearts and reiterated Pakistan would always raise the Palestine issue at all fora.

President Abbas welcomed the sentiments and said he considered Pakistan as his second home, radio Pakistan reported.

(APD)