Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrives in Jordan, will meet PM Tuesday
By Associated Press July 11, 2006
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Jordan on Monday night for what Palestinian officials billed as a last-minute visit.
Abbas arrived on a helicopter provided by Jordan's King Abdullah II, said a Palestinian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the visit. He did not give a reason for the visit.
Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Judeh denied the visit was hastily arranged, saying it was "routine" and part of continuing consultations on Palestinian-Israeli developments.
Judeh told The Associated Press that Abbas would meet Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit on Tuesday. There was no word on whether Abbas would also meet the king.
It was not immediately clear if Abbas would go on to other countries. The Palestinian leader uses Amman as a transit point for outward travel.
Israel and the Palestinians have been in crisis since militants captured an Israeli soldier on June 25 and Israeli forces invaded the Gaza Strip in a bid to force his release.
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