Palestine president to visit Indonesia but date yet to be confirmed

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to make a tour of a few Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, but because of current pressing matters at home, the exact date of his arrival in Jakarta has yet to be fixed, Palestinian Ambassador to Indonesia Fariz N. Mehdawi said Saturday.

"The President will make a state visit to Indonesia as part of a tour of Southeast Asian countries. But the date has yet to be confirmed," Antara news agency quoted Mehdawi as saying at his office here.

Abbas's agenda in Indonesia would include a meeting with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and other high ranking officials.

"The President will update President Yudhoyono on the current political situation in Palestine and the two leaders will also speak from heart to heart," the ambassador said.

Abbas would also meet leaders of mass organizations, non- governmental organizations, ulemas (Muslim clerics), intellectuals, and politicians during his stay in Indonesia which might last more than two days.

The senior diplomat expressed hope that the two countries could in the near future cooperate in various areas in more practical and meaningful ways.

"We hope to discuss also what Palestine needs and what Indonesia can provide," Mehdawi said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda told the Indonesian press recently that the planned visit of President Mahmoud Abbas earlier scheduled for the second week of May, might be postponed to a still unconfirmed date due to the political situation in Palestine.

Source: Xinhua