Live Update
From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Palestinian officials deny reports Abbas invited to Iran this week
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly received an invitation to visit Iran in the coming days, but officials close to him deny this.
The Palestinian Maan News Agency cites anonymous sources who say Abbas “has not rejected” an invitation to the Islamic Republic that he received while visiting Qatar.
However, Senior Abbas adviser Ahmed Majdalani and Fatah spokesperson Osamah Qawasmeh both deny the report.
Abbas has visited numerous Arab and Muslim capitals since US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6.
— Dov Lieber