The Lebanese al Akhbar newspaper reported on Tuesday that US presidential favourite Barack Obama told Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas that he supports the Palestinians' right to East Jerusalem, as well as their right to a sovereign Palestinian state. The report added Obama asked Abbas to keep the remarks secret. However, Obama aides dismissed the report later in the day.

Nevertheless, the Lebanese daily added that the Palestinian Authority is hoping Obama will win, saying that Palestinian leaders believe his support for Israel during the campaign was mainly aimed at gaining the American-Jewish vote and the support of the Jewish lobby in the United States.

© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)