Al-Malki: Arab countries support Palestinian UN bid

Arab countries support a Palestinian bid for statehood recognition at the UN General Assembly, Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki said Monday. The Arab League follow-up committee met in Doha on Sunday, and representatives expressed support for the initiative but did not set a date for the bid, al-Malki told Ma'an. The minister said officials would communicate with member countries of the General Assembly and report back to the committee at its next meeting in Cairo on Sept. 5, when the timing of the appeal will be decided. The General Assembly can upgrade Palestine's status to a non-member observer state, and al-Malki said he expected Palestine would win 130 - 140 votes, securing a majority. In September 2011, President Mahmoud Abbas applied for full UN membership at the UN Security Council. Israel and the US staunchly opposed the bid, which failed due to a lack of support in the 15-member council. Al-Malki said the Palestinian Authority did not fear US sanctions over the General Assembly bid. "The decision is that the Palestinian leadership will go to the general assembly despite the consequences."