UNSC meets on Palestinian bid

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Monday started its first meeting on the historic request for full membership of the UN for a Palestinian state.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas made his application to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday. Despite a US threat to veto the bid, the 15-nation council is expected to send it to a special committee to decide if a Palestinians qualify for admission to the world body.

The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, told reporters that 131 countries now recognize a Palestinian state, having added two in the past week.

Despite the US opposition, Mansour called on the Security Council to "synchronize itself with history" and give the green light to a Palestinian state.

A vote on a membership resolution is not expected for several weeks.

If the resolution does not get nine votes in favor it will fail, averting the need for a US veto.

The United States and Israel are lobbying furiously for the council members to oppose or abstain in the resolution. They insist that only direct negotiations can produce an accord that will lead to setting up a Palestinian nation.

The Palestinians are also to send high level delegations to council members Bosnia, Gabon and Nigeria in a bid to win backing, Mansour said.

"This is an exercise in which there will be tremendous pressure on members of the Security Council but we trust in our friends," Mansour said. (AFP)