Palestine wants UN vote for statehood

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told the Voice of Palestine radio station Sunday that the Palestinians would initiate peaceful demonstrations this month to draw the world's attention to their appeal at the UN.

They, however, did not intend to enter into any clashes with the Israeli forces in Palestinian territories.

The chief negotiator asked the US and European countries to support the Palestinians and approve their statehood, the radio station said.

The New York Times reported quoting US officials that the Obama administration circulated a proposal for renewed peace talks with the Israelis in the hope of persuading Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to abandon the bid for recognition at the UN General Assembly session beginning Sep 20.

The US has made it clear to Abbas that it would veto any request presented to the UN Security Council to make a Palestinian state a new member.