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23:00 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 10 (KUNA) -- The US stressed Sunday that it is "unfortunate that the Palestinian Authority is walking away again from an opportunity to discuss the future of the region," amid reports that that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would not meet Vice President Mike Pence during his visit to the region.
The Press Secretary for Vice President said in a statement that the President Donald Trump "has asked Vice President Pence to go to the region to reaffirm our commitment to work with partners throughout the Middle East to defeat radicalism that threatens the hopes and dreams of future generations."
"The Vice President very much looks forward to traveling to the region to meet with (Israel's) Prime Minister Netanyahu and (Egypt's) President al-Sisi," the statement added.
It stressed "it's unfortunate that the Palestinian Authority is walking away again from an opportunity to discuss the future of the region."
It affirmed "the Administration remains committed in its efforts to help achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians and our peace team remains hard at work putting together a plan. (pickup previous)
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