By Xinhua
Cairo : Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held talks Wednesday morning with visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the latest development in the Middle East, particularly the future of the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
At a press conference following the talks, Abbas said he briefed Mubarak on the outcome of the 20th Arab Summit ended Sunday in Damascus and his short visit in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Abbas, who arrived here late Tuesday for a two-day visit to Egypt, also discussed with Mubarak the outcome of his recent meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jordan.
During a joint news conference with Rice on Monday, Abbas said he hopes a comprehensive peace deal with Israel would be reached before the end of this year.
Jordanian King Abdullah II is also scheduled to arrive in Cairo later Wednesday.
A three-way summit between Abbas, Mubarak and King Abdullah IIis expected to be held, according to Al-Hayyat, a London-based Arab daily.
The talks come at the heels of the 20th Arab Summit, which is expected to make coordination and consultation between the Arab leaders as part of efforts to promote Arab solidarity and joint Arab action.