WASHINGTON
The White House announced that the Palestinian President will visit United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama on March 17 to discuss Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
“The President looks forward to reviewing with President Abbas the progress in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations,” said White House Press Secretary Jay Carney in a statement released to the press.
Mahmoud Abbas’s visit comes as Washington continues working towards a framework for final-status negotiations between Ramallah and Tel Aviv. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has taken the lead in drafting the document.
The document has drawn the ire of both delegations prior to finalization, which is set for some time in April. Major sticking points include the status of East Jerusalem and the future of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled meet with Obama on March 3 at the White House.
englishnews@aa.com.tr