Abbas holds talks in Oman on Palestinian developments

By Qays Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas held talks with Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said, in capital Muscat on Monday, according to the official Wafa news agency.

Discussions tackled bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, Wafa said.

The talks also dwelt on a recent U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Abbas arrived in Muscat on Sunday for a 3-day visit for talks with Omani officials.

In December, U.S. President Donald Trump triggered world outcry after unveiling plans to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and declare the city the capital of Israel.

Ever the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah has rejected any U.S. role in the stumbling Middle East peace process.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.