Mahmoud Abbas

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas 'was KGB agent'

Mr Abbas was listed as an "agent of the KGB" in a report smuggled to the UK by defector Vasily Mitrokhin, according to Gideon Remez and Isabella Ginor.

The president's spokesman described the claim as an absurd Israeli "smear".

It comes as Russia attempts to organise a meeting between Mr Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Palestinian leader said earlier this week that he had agreed to see Mr Netanyahu in Moscow on Friday, but that Israeli officials had asked to delay until an unspecified later date.

VIDEO: Israeli Army and Palestinians clash on streets

The clashes erupted after the funeral of a 13-year-old boy killed during clashes with the Israeli military.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday he had no interest in an "escalation" of violence and is ready to talk with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that he will use a "strong hand" to quell violent Palestinian protests and deadly attacks.

Shooting in Lebanon refugee camp leaves 2 dead, 3 wounded

Tuesday's shooting in the Ein el-Hilweh camp comes three days after an official from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party — Talal Baladneh, who was also known as Talal the Jordanian — was ambushed and killed in a hail of gunfire near the camp.