Zuma to receive Palestinian president

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas next week, the international relations department said on Friday.

"President Abbas will conduct bilateral discussions with President Zuma on... bilateral relations between South Africa and Palestine, the Middle East peace process, as well as other multilateral issues," departmental spokesperson Clayson Monyela said in a statement.

Abbas and Zuma would meet on Wednesday, when three agreements would be signed.

These included the establishment of a commission to monitor and guide relations, a memorandum of understanding to allow bi-annual political meetings between South African and Palestinian officials, and an agreement to co-operate on matters relating to higher education and training.

"In addition, South Africa supports international efforts aimed at the establishment of a viable Palestinian State, existing side by side in peace with Israel within internationally recognised borders, based on those existing on 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital."