Ramallah, Rajab 26, 1434, Jun 5, 2013, SPA - President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine said Tuesday that US Secretary of State John Kerry was exerting serious and difficult efforts to find a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Kerry “is still exerting extensive and difficult efforts between us and the Israelis,” he said, during a press conference with visiting president of the Maldives Muhammad Waheed Hassan. “He is serious and very much interested in reaching a solution.” Hassan arrived in Ramallah earlier in the day for a three-day visit to the State of Palestine during which he will attend a conference on Al-Quds (Jerusalem) scheduled to be held on Wednesday in Ramallah. He said at the press conference that he held “fruitful” talks with Abbas, who briefed him on the latest development in the region and on the peace process, according to a report of the State of Palestine News Agency "WAFA." This is Hassan’s first trip to Palestine. Abbas visited the Maldives in April of last year. 13:44 LOCAL TIME 10:44 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1117428