RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has encouraged Israel and the Palestinians to start direct peace negotiations overseen by the United States, after Donald Trump announced his long awaited peace plan. King Salman reassured the Kingdoms commitment to the Palestinian issue and Palestinian rights, in a phone call with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas. The Kingdom’s foreign ministry said it reiterates support for all efforts aimed at reaching a just and comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian cause. “The kingdom appreciates the efforts of President Trumps Administration to develop a comprehensive peace plan between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides,” the ministry said. The two sides should “resolve any disagreements with aspects of the plan through negotiations, in order to move forward the peace process to reach an agreement that achieves legitimate rights of the Palestinian people,” the statement added.