Saudi King Meets Abbas ahead of Palestinian U.N. bid

Saudi King Abdullah and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas met on Monday, SPA state news agency said, as the Palestinian Authority intensified efforts to bid for non-state membership of the U.N.

The two leaders discussed "developments in the Palestinian issue, as well as the obstacles facing peace in the region and the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories," the agency in a brief report.

U.S. President Barack Obama told Abbas on Sunday that his administration opposed a Palestinian decision to go to the U.N. General Assembly for recognition as a non-state member.

Obama told the Palestinian leader in a phone conversation that Washington opposes unilateral efforts at the United Nations and reaffirmed commitment to Middle East peace, according to a statement from the White House.