RIYADH - Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas left Riyadh Tuesday after discussions with Saudi leaders on crucial upcoming Palestinian talks in Cairo over a proposed truce with Israel.
"I briefed Saudi leaders on developments on the Palestinian scene, particularly the inter-Palestinian dialogue due to be launched in Cairo tonight," Abbas told AFP after talks with King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz and Defense Minister Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz.
Abbas, who was due to join the talks in Cairo, said he hoped they would yield agreement on a ceasefire with Israel.
The radical Hamas movement ruled out a long-term ceasefire as an unprecedented array of Palestinian faction leaders gathered in the Egyptian capital Tuesday for the crucial talks.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday a ceasefire deal with the factions was not enough and that Abbas needed to dismantle the radical groups in the Palestinian camp.
Abbas said his talks in Riyadh, where he had arrived late Monday, also focused on preparations for the annual summit of Arab heads of state slated for March 22-23 in Algiers.
03/15/2005 16:17 GMT