Palestinian leader Abbas visits South Africa

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was due to arrive in South Africa today for a three-day state visit that will include a meeting with President Thabo Mbeki and an address to parliament.

The Foreign Ministry said the trip was part of efforts to “promote the peaceful resolution of conflict” by continued dialogue with both the Israelis and Palestinians.

The government has also invited leaders of Hamas, which took power yesterday. The Islamic militant group, which won parliamentary elections in January, has held firm to its refusal to recognise Israel and is widely shunned by Western donor governments. No date has been set for the Hamas visit.

Mbeki has said that South Africa accepts the victory of Hamas, as it “cannot afford to challenge the consequences of a democratic process”.

Abbas, the moderate leader of the Fatah party, which was defeated by Hamas, was elected separately and wields considerable power.

He was due to meet representatives of South Africa’s Muslim and Jewish communities and pay a courtesy visit to former President Nelson Mandela.