ABU DHABI, Dec. 19 (Xinhuanet) -- President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan reiterated here on Sunday the UAE government's support to the Palestinian people,the UAE WAM news agency reported.

    The president made the remarks while receiving Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization,Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived here earlier in the afternoon with his entourage for a visit to the UAE as part of his tour of Arab countries.

    The president also reiterated the UAE's support for the efforts being made by the Palestinian leadership to achieve unity and solidarity among various factions and for the preparations being made by the various Palestinian bodies for the future of Palestine.Sheikh Khalifa expressed the hope that the Palestinians would achieve their long cherished dream of establishing an independent Palestinian state and to achieve their legitimate rights in thelight of the international efforts to end their sufferings under the Israeli occupation.

    During the meeting, Abbas briefed the UAE president on the situation in the Palestinian territories, efforts being made for the upcoming elections and the dialogue with all Palestinian factions.

    They discussed a number of issues of mutual interest in the light of the latest developments in the region, as well as bilateral ties between the two sides.

    Mahmoud Abbas left here Sunday evening after a short visit to the UAE, according to WAM. Enditem