Palestinian leadership regrets Security Council's committee recommendations

The Palestinian leadership on Friday regretted recommendations by a United Nations Security Council committee that the Palestinian territories cannot be accepted as a member state through the council. "This will complicate the peace process and harm the two-state solution," said Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, after the Palestinians failed to secure nine votes to let their application eligible for vote in the Security Council. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas submitted the application in September despite American and Israeli opposition. By getting only eight members of the 15-member council supporting the Palestinian bid, the United States will not have to use its veto against the Palestinian request. Erekat told Xinhua that the Palestinian leadership will study the conclusions of the UN Security Council's admission committee and will consult with Arab nations before deciding on the next move. The Palestinians still can get a non-member observer state through the UN General Assembly where they enjoy enough support. The United States wanted the Palestinians to resume peace negotiations with Israel instead of seeking a state through the UN. However, for the Palestinians, Israel must stop building settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem before the negotiations restart.