But Mahmoud Abbas vowed¹ to press ahead during a meeting with the US president, the White House said afterwards.

 

Mr Obama had told the UN General Assembly a Palestinian state could only be achieved through talks with Israel.

 

But French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned a veto（否决，禁止） could spark another cycle of violence in the region. 

 

Diplomatic efforts for Palestinian UN membership have intensified², with Mr Abbas preparing to submit a written application to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Friday. 

 

Thousands of people rallied in the West Bank on Wednesday in support of the move.

 

 

If Mr Ban approves the request, the Security Council will examine it and vote on it. In order to pass, it would need the backing of nine out of 15 council members, with no vetoes from the permanent members.

 

However, Mr Obama had indicated the US will use its veto, leaving Western diplomats³ trying to find ways to put off the voting process to buy more time.

 

And the US president made his position clear to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Abbas during meetings late on Wednesday.

 

"We would have to oppose any action at the UN Security Council including, if necessary, vetoing," White House national security council spokesman Ben Rhodes said after Mr Obama met Mr Abbas.

 

Mr Netanyahu told reporters that Mr Obama deserved a "badge of honour" for his defence of Israel.

 

However, senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath argued that Palestinian UN membership was "morally, legally and politically acceptable in every way".

 

Mr Sarkozy urged a compromise（妥协，和解） , suggesting the General Assembly give the Palestinians enhanced status as a non-member state to allow a clear timeline for talks - a month to start negotiations⁴, six months to deal with borders and security and a year to finalise a "definitive⁵ agreement".

 

A vote on enhanced status - enjoyed by others such as the Vatican - would not require a Security Council recommendation but a simple majority in the General Assembly, where no veto is possible.

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