Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. — Photo by AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas arrived here on Saturday on a three-day visit to Pakistan.

The Palestinian President who is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari was accorded warm welcome at Noor Khan Airbase by Federal Minister Makhdoom Shahabuddin and high ranking officials.

This is the first visit of President Mahmoud Abbas to Pakistan after the recognition of Palestine as a non-member observer state by the United Nations.

Pakistan was co-sponsor in the United Nations General Assembly resolution that granted this status to Palestine on 29 November, 2012. President Abbas last visited Pakistan in February 2010.

President Abbas will be received by President Asif Ali Zardari at the presidency on Sunday, where a formal welcome ceremony would be held in his honour.

His engagements would include delegation level talks followed by a luncheon hosted by President Zardari.

The two leaders are expected to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations and will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Pakistan enjoys excellent relations with Palestine and always been supportive of their legitimate right to self-determination and have consistently supported the Palestinian cause.

Pakistan has been supporting the two states solution and also has been instrumental in helping Palestine get the observer status in the UN as well as in UNESCO.