Abbas confirms Palestinian UN bid on November 29

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas told Arab foreign ministers gathered in Cairo on Monday that the Palestinian Authority will present its bid for non-state membership of the United Nations on November 29. Following talks with Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi, \"it has been agreed that the request will be presented on November 29,\" Abbas said, calling for support from Arab states. Earlier Palestinian negotiator Mohammed Shtayeh told reporters that the bid, opposed by the United States and Israel, would take place by November 29. US President Barack Obama told Abbas in a telephone conversation on Sunday that his administration opposes the Palestinian UN initiative and Israeli officials have threatened punitive measures if the Palestinians go ahead with the bid. \"We don\'t want any confrontations with the United States or Israel. If we could start a dialogue or negotiations the day after the vote, we will,\" the Palestinian leader said. \"We know we are a country under occupation, but we want our land which was occupied in 1967 including Jerusalem. Israel says Palestinian lands are disputed and open to negotiation, and is hurrying to build settlements, covering Jerusalem with settlements,\" Abbas said.