Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his scheduled visit to New York following the recent deterioration of security situations in the Gaza Strip, a senior Palestinian official said Thursday.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told reporters that Abbas decided not to head to New York on Sunday, where he was scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly, after former security chief Musa Arafat was assassinated in Gaza City on Wednesday.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Naser al-Qedwa will address the UN General Assembly in the name of Abbas, he said.

Erekat added that Abbas would remain in Gaza before Israeli troops withdrawal from the occupied territory expected to be completed by Sept. 15.

A Palestinian militant group called the Popular Resistance Committees of the Intifada claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the killing of former military intelligence chief Musa Arafat and abduction of his son in a raid on his home in Gaza City.

Abbas condemned the murder of the retired general and cousin to the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Source: Xinhua