Palestinian president Abbas arrives in Lebanon to seek support for UN recognition bid

[News_Editor]

Palestinian president Abbas arrives in Lebanon to seek support for UN recognition bid

2011-08-17 10:57:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

BEIRUT (BNO NEWS) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday to lobby for further support for its United Nations recognition bid, the Lebanon's Daily Star reported.

Abbas met with Lebanese President Michel Sleiman at the presidential palace during the visit where the two held talks and exchanged gifts. Lebanon has already approved boosting diplomatic ties with the Palestinian Authority, which is reaching out to governments to win recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations in September when Lebanon will be heading the UN Security Council.

The Palestinian leader is expected to raise the Palestinian flag over the new Palestinian Embassy in Beirut on Wednesday as a sign of Lebanon's recognition of a Palestinian state. During his two-day visit to Lebanon, Abbas will also meet Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati as well as members of the opposition to discuss the bid.

More than 115 out of 193 countries have currently recognized the State of Palestine and those are seen as supporters if the UN votes on the issue. Those states may seek recognition of the Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Last month, the United States warned Palestinians that they would risk U.S. aid cuts if they pursue their plans at the United Nations without talks with Israel first. There are also reports that the United States would veto any UN bill to recognize Palestine.

Last year, Israel and the Palestinian Authority stalled the peace negotiations, which were supported by the United States and the United Nations, after the Jewish nation refused to extend a moratorium on settlement building in the occupied Palestinian territory in September.

In response, President Abbas broke off direct talks as recommended by Hamas, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union and countries such as the United States and Israel. Israel has since resumed settlement constructions even though they were labeled as a violation of international law by the international community.

Palestine demanded a stop to settlement construction in the disputed East Jerusalem and West Bank area as a key element for continuing peace talks, aimed at reaching a two-state solution based on the 1967 Green Line.

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