This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-19746994

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Mahmoud Abbas seeks UN observer status for Palestinians Mahmoud Abbas seeks UN observer status for Palestinians
(35 minutes later)
The Palestinian leader has asked the UN to grant Palestinians "non-member observer state" by the end of the year.The Palestinian leader has asked the UN to grant Palestinians "non-member observer state" by the end of the year.
Mahmoud Abbas told the General Assembly talks on such a status had begun, and that his eventual aim was to establish Palestine as a full member state.Mahmoud Abbas told the General Assembly talks on such a status had begun, and that his eventual aim was to establish Palestine as a full member state.
Later Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is to address the assembly. He is expected to set down a "clear red line" over Iran's nuclear programme. Addressing the assembly later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a "clear red line" to be set over Iran's nuclear programme.
The West suspects Iran is seeking build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.The West suspects Iran is seeking build nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.
Mr Abbas told delegates the annual General Assembly in New York that Palestinians would continue their efforts to obtain full UN membership.Mr Abbas told delegates the annual General Assembly in New York that Palestinians would continue their efforts to obtain full UN membership.
He said negotiations had begun with "regional organisations and member states" aimed at adopting a resolution making Palestine "a non-member state of the United Nations during this session".He said negotiations had begun with "regional organisations and member states" aimed at adopting a resolution making Palestine "a non-member state of the United Nations during this session".
"In our endeavour," he added, "we do not seek to delegitimise an existing state - that is Israel - but rather to assert the state that must be realised - that is Palestine.""In our endeavour," he added, "we do not seek to delegitimise an existing state - that is Israel - but rather to assert the state that must be realised - that is Palestine."
Currently, the Palestine Liberation Organisation only has "permanent observer" status. Last year, a bid for full-member status failed because of a lack of support at the UN Security Council.Currently, the Palestine Liberation Organisation only has "permanent observer" status. Last year, a bid for full-member status failed because of a lack of support at the UN Security Council.
The change would allow Palestinians to participate in General Assembly debates. It would also improve their chances of joining UN agencies and the International Criminal Court.The change would allow Palestinians to participate in General Assembly debates. It would also improve their chances of joining UN agencies and the International Criminal Court.
Speech boycott 'Nuclear calendar'
Mr Netanyahu is due to speak shortly. In his speech, Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed his country's opposition to "unilateral declaration of statehood".
On Thursday, an Israeli official told reporters that the prime minister would "set a clear red line" which, if crossed, would lead to military intervention against Iran. Turning to Iran, the Israeli prime minister said "a clear red line" should be drawn which, if crossed, would lead to military intervention.
"Israel and the US have a common goal to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The prime minister's remarks drawing a red line will help that this is attained," the Associated Press news agency quoted the official as saying. He said sanctions passed over the past seven years had not affected Tehran's nuclear programme.
In his address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama stressed the US would "do what we must" to stop Tehran acquiring nuclear arms. Mr Netanyahu said Iran should be stopped before it acquires enough enriched uranium to make a nuclear bomb.
"The hour is very late," he told delegates. "The Iranian nuclear calendar does not take time out."
He said he was convinced that faced with a "clear red line, Iran will back down".
On Tuesday, in his own address to the General Assembly, US President Barack Obama stressed the US would "do what we must" to stop Tehran acquiring nuclear arms.
But while the Obama administration has not ruled out a military option, it says sanctions and multilateral negotiations with Iran must still be given time to work.But while the Obama administration has not ruled out a military option, it says sanctions and multilateral negotiations with Iran must still be given time to work.
Earlier this month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was not prepared to commit to drawing "red lines", which Mr Netanyahu is insisting on.Earlier this month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US was not prepared to commit to drawing "red lines", which Mr Netanyahu is insisting on.
Mr Netanyahu recently warned that Iran was only six or seven months from having "90%" of what it needed to make a nuclear bomb and that it needed to be stopped.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Western countries of nuclear "intimidation", in a UN speech boycotted by the US and Israel.On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Western countries of nuclear "intimidation", in a UN speech boycotted by the US and Israel.
"Continued threat by the uncivilised Zionists [Israel] to resort to military action is a clear example of this bitter reality," he told the General Assembly."Continued threat by the uncivilised Zionists [Israel] to resort to military action is a clear example of this bitter reality," he told the General Assembly.