Israel refuses Colombian foreign minister's request to visit Ramallah

Israel has denied a request by Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin to access Ramallah for a meeting with her Palestinian counterpart, Riyad al Maliki, demanding a prior visit to Israel, said Bogota on Thursday.

Currently touring the Middle East, Ms. Holguin wanted to go from Jordan to the West Bank to meet with Mr. al-Maliki. Thee Colombian Embassy in Israel requested right of passage on November 3.

Israel would allow Ms. Holguin to visit Ramallah, the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority,after meeting with Israeli Foreign Minsiter Avigdor Lieberman.

Unable to include a visit to Israel, the head of Colombian diplomacy finally met Mr. al-Maliki in the Jordanian capital of Amman on November 10, said her ministry.