US envoy to Middle East meets with senior Palestinian official in Saudi Arabia: Report
US envoy Steve Witkoff met with a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh, marking the first meeting between a Trump administration official and a Palestinian official since November. Witkoff is also set to visit the Gaza Strip, the first US government visit in nearly 20 years.
- Middle East
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 11:54 | 29 January 2025
- Modified Date: 11:55 | 29 January 2025
The US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has met with a senior adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Saudi capital Riyadh, according to a media report.
"This was the first meeting between a Trump administration official and a Palestinian official since November's election," Axios news portal reported on Tuesday.
Citing sources, Axios said the meeting followed weeks of back-channel talks between the Trump administration officials and Palestinian leadership.
During the 2024 campaign, the Palestinian president attempted to mend ties with Trump, sending him a letter of support following the first assassination attempt against him during a political rally in Pennsylvania on July 13. Trump responded positively to the gesture.
Witkoff is also expected to visit the Gaza Strip, marking the first visit by a US government official in nearly two decades.
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