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. |
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. |
'Nuclear calendar' | |
In his speech, Mr Netanyahu reaffirmed his country's opposition to "unilateral declaration of statehood". | |
Turning to Iran, the Israeli prime minister said "a clear red line" should be drawn which, if crossed, would lead to military intervention. | |
He said sanctions passed over the past seven years had not affected Tehran's nuclear programme. | |
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. |
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. |