Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas left the West Bank on Thursday for an Asian tour focused on winning support from key Muslim countries ahead of a US-sponsored meeting with Israel.

The president is scheduled to fly to Malaysia, before visiting Indonesia on Saturday and Brunei on Sunday, said a Palestinian official, who added that the itinerary may take in other stops.

Abbas wants to rally support from Muslim powers before going to the United States for a meeting with Israel later this year that has raised hopes of reviving the Middle East peace process after seven years of deadlock.