The 15-member body held closed-door discussions yesterday on the application, which Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had submitted to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last Friday.

Moon had forwarded the request to the Council.

Ambassador Nawaf Salam of Lebanon, which holds the Council's rotating presidency for this month, said the Council will take a decision tomorrow to refer the application to the Council's Committee on the Admission of New Members.

According to procedure, any recommendations for admission must receive the affirmative votes of nine of the Council's 15 members, provided that none of the permanent five members – China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and United States – use their veto powers.

The US has already said it would veto the plea if it comes up to the Security Council.
If the Council recommends admission, the recommendation is presented to the 193-member Assembly, where a two-thirds majority of members present and voting is necessary for admission of a new State.

Palestine currently has observer status at the UN.