Palestinian invitation for Russian president to spend Christmas

Palestinian sources said today that Russian President Boris Yeltsin, who is currently lying in the hospital for suspected pneumonia, wants to celebrate Christmas in Palestine in January, 2000.

Eastern orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 every year, as the Kremlin previously announced President Yeltsin's intention to participate in the Christmas celebration in Bethlehem, where Jesus Christ was born.

The sources said Yeltsin's visit could help push the peace process in the Middle East forward.

The sources told ArabicNews.com of the importance of Russia's role in the area as one of the main sponsors of the peace process in the Middle East.