Russia Can Play Positive Role in Middle East Crisis Resolution – Abbas

Russia, as one of the most influential states, should contribute positively to the settlement of conflicts in the Middle East, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Abbas arrived in Moscow with a working visit on September 23-25. Following the Moscow trip the Palestinian leader will travel to the United States to discuss the Middle East crisis during the UN General Assembly in New York.

“There is an urgent need for Russia, as a major power, to play its positive role in the region. We believe that Russia is ready for that. If we manage to reach agreements with other countries, then we will move forward," Abbas told Rossiya-24 television.

During his visit to Moscow, the Palestinian leader met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed a number of issues, including anti-terrorism fight. Along with Turkish and Kazakh leaders Abbas and Putin attended the opening of the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.

The Middle East Quartet, comprising Russia, the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, vying for Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation, will also meet in New York in late September.

The international community will not be able to overcome the threat posed by the Islamic State jihadist group and other extremists without first finding a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Abbas said.

“If the international community really wants to put an end to terrorism and extremism, it has to find a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict first. It will root out the breeding ground for terrorism and extremism,” Abbas said.

The Palestinian leader stressed that Palestine stands against all extremist groups, including Islamic State.

Palestinians seek the recognition of their independent state, comprising the territories partially occupied by Israel after the 1967 Six-Day War, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.