Palestinians To Seek UN Recognition September 20

The Palestinians will submit their bid for membership of the United Nations on September 20, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki told AFP on Saturday.

“Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas will personally present the request to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon… at the opening of the sixty-sixth session,” on September 20, Malki conveyed.

He added Abbas “will insist on this historic initiative and Ban Ki-moon will present the request to the Security Council.”

Acording to him, the Palestinian Authority chose September because Lebanon, which will hold the presidency of the Security Council, would be in a strong position to push the bid forward.

“Lebanon will hold the presidency of the Security Council in September and this will help us because the president of the council has special prerogatives, which is crucial,” he stated.

The US has already expressed its opposition to the move and hinted it will use its veto to block it.