Jerusalem, Jan 10: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has lauded India for its "courageous, principled and traditional" support to the Palestinian cause and apprised New Delhi of the current situation in the Middle East and measures taken by him to bring down the level of tension in the region. During Arafat`s meeting with R M Abhayankar, secretary in the external affairs ministry, who called on the Palestinian leader in his headquarters in Ramallah, the two sides also discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual importance, informed sources said.

Arafat lauded India for its "steadfast and consistent" support to Palestinian cause at various multi-lateral fora. He said the Palestinian authority was doing its best to find out the ways to bring down tension in the region.

Arafat told the Indian official about the difficulty in the face of Israel`s decision to impose a travel ban on Palestinian officials to visit UK to discuss reforms in the Palestinian authority, the sources said. Abhayankar, who also held meetings with other Palestinian ministers, extended an invitation on behalf of external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha to Palestinian foreign minister Naabil Saath to visit India.

Earlier an Indian delegation led by Abhayankar held discussions on bilateral, regional and multi-lateral issues with Israeli counterparts and agreed to combat the menace of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Abhyankar also called on Israeli foreign minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel`s national security advisor Ephraim Halevi. Netanyahu apprised the Indian official of the situation in the Middle East and explained Israel`s position in the current situation.

Bureau Report