Moscow - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is to hold a further round of talks in Moscow next week with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, the Kremlin said Thursday.

Abbas would be in Moscow from Sunday through Wednesday, Interfax news agency quoted the Kremlin as saying. In similar talks last December Abbas was assured of support by Medvedev.

As well as holding talks with Fatah leader Abbas, Moscow has also maintained contacts with the Palestinian leader's rival Hamas faction, to the annoyance of Israel.

The Russian leaderhsip, in efforts to play a more active role in securing Middle East peace, has made clear it wants to host a Middle East conference at a date yet to be decided. (dpa)