Delegated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited the city of Ramallah today, carrying a written message from HM the King to His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine. In the letter, HM the King extended an invitation to HE President Abbas to attend the 33rd Arab Summit to be hosted by the kingdom in May. Hussain Al Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Bahraini Ambassador-designate to Jordan, senior Palestinian National Authority officials, and members of the Foreign Minister's accompanying delegation attended the meeting devoted to discussing preparations for the 33rd Arab Summit, in addition to ways to bolster the deep-rooted bilateral fraternal relations. President Abbas welcomed the Foreign Affairs Minister, lauding the distinguished solid long-standing fraternal Bahraini-Palestinian relations, which are growing steadily across various fields. He commended the efforts made by the two countries in the political, economic and social fields, wishing Bahrain every success in hosting the upcoming Arab Summit. He also expressed hope that the upcoming pan-Arab Summit would come up with good results that would support the Palestinian cause, serve Arab interests and consolidate joint Arab action. The Palestinian President requested Dr. Al Zayani to convey his greetings and appreciation to HM King Hamad and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, coupled with his wishes for abundant health and wellness to them, as well as further progress and prosperity to the kingdom. President Abbas appreciated the kingdom's supportive stances towards the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people at various international gatherings, commending its remarkable and continuous efforts to establish peace, security and stability, as well as stop es calation in the region. The Palestinian President lauded Bahrain's 'constructive' role in the ongoing efforts to stop the war in the Gaza Strip and ensure protection for civilians, citing its call to provide humanitarian and relief aid to the civilian population in the enclave. The Foreign Affairs Minister expressed delight at meeting the Palestinian President, praising the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him. He conveyed greetings and appreciation from HM the King and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister to President Abbas, as well as their wishes for abundant health and happiness to them, in addition to further progress, security and stability for the Palestinian people. The Foreign Affairs Minister underlined the kingdom's firm stance in support of the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the two-state solution and the relevant international legitimacy resolu tions, in addition to the acceptance of the State of Palestine as a full UN member. He affirmed Bahrain's support for the Palestinian National Authority and PLO, being the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The two sides discussed the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, and their tragic repercussions on the civilian population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in addition to regional and international efforts aimed at stopping the escalation, reducing tension, and establishing just and lasting peace in the Middle East. They emphasised the importance of continuing joint diplomatic consultation and coordination regarding the developments of the current regional situation and their impacts on regional security and stability, calling for the need to intensify efforts to immediately stop the war in Gaza, protect civilians, deliver humanitarian aid, prevent the displacement of Palestinians from their lands, and stave off the Israeli military attack on Rafah city. Source: Bahrain News Agency