M'SIAN PM NAJIB BEGINS VISIT IN NEW YORK WITH BILATERAL TALKS

FROM MOKHTAR HUSSAIN

NEW YORK, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak will hold talks
with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas on the latest development of the
Israeli-Palestinian peace process when the two leaders meet on the sidelines of
the United Nations' General Assembly (UNGA) here Thursday afternoon.

Both leaders last met in Putrajaya in May when the latter was on a
three-day working visit to Malaysia.

Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor, had arrived Thursday morning, for a
six-day working visit. Present to receive the Prime Minister were Malaysia's
Ambassador to the United States Jamaludin Jarjis, Malaysian Permanent
Representative to the United Nations (UN) Hamidon Ali and several officials.

While here, Najib is scheduled to attend the second Asean-United States
leaders meeting on Friday before delivering his maiden speech at the world
body on Sept 27.

Foreign Minister Anifah Aman told Malaysian journalists that Najib was
expected to convey to President Abbas Malaysia's stand on the United States (US)
brokered peace deal.

US president Barack Obama, scheduled to address the UN general assembly
Thursday, is expected to make a plea for international support for the Middle
East peace process.

Before the meeting with Abbas, Najib is scheduled to hold talks with his
counterpart from Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wajed on matters of common interest
between the two countries.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, will also be meeting the CEO of the ACE
Group, Evan Greenberg.

In the evening, Najib and Rosmah will attend a reception to be hosted by
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in conjunction with the
Asean-US summit at the American Museum of Natural History located at 81 Street,
Central Park West.

The seven-day annual general debate of the 65th Assembly begins Thursday
with President Obama and Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad taking the
podium within few hours apart.
-- BERNAMA


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