President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday sent an envoy to Iran in an attempt to improve bilateral relations with the Islamic Republic.

Ahmad Majdalani, a member of the PLO Executive Committee, told Ma’an that the arrangements had been in place for some time and pre-dated recent talks in the country about the nuclear deal with the United States.

The PLO official met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and agreed to set-up a “high-profile” joint committee to arrange consultations on political issues, and commercial and educational exchange.

The two officials also discussed possible Iranian support in efforts to implement political reconciliation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Majdalani said that the recent nuclear agreement with the United States could “lay the grounds for an international conference which could help clear the region from nuclear weapons, including Israel.”

An Iranian initiative to end the ongoing fighting in Syria was also discussed.

The PLO official’s visit comes amid media reports suggesting that Iran canceled a visit by a Hamas delegation.

The planned trip was reportedly canceled following a visit by Hamas chief-in-exile, Khaled Mashaal, to Saudi Arabia in July.

(Ma’an – www.maannews.com)