BICOM

France and Britain plan to abstain from a Security Council vote on the Palestinians’ bid for statehood, two UN diplomats indicated yesterday. France told members of the UN Security Council about its intentions at a Thursday afternoon meeting of the admissions committee for new UN membership, according to a diplomat speaking to CNN. Another UN diplomat told CNN that Britain would also abstain, with one of its representatives announcing its intentions at the same closed-door meeting. According to reports, Germany has also declared it would not support the Palestinian bid, without clarifying whether it would abstain or vote against.

The UN Security Council is set to meet on 11 November to discuss a report about whether or not to admit a Palestinian state as a member of the international organisation. Diplomats have indicated that it is unlikely the Palestinians will succeed in their bid, given that the United States, a permanent Security Council member, has warned it will veto the initiative. However, a veto will not be necessary if a minimum of nine nations out of 15 on the UN Security Council do not support the Palestinians’ bid.

Both Britain and France have expressed concern that a Palestinian bid to become a UN member state right now could hurt chances of reviving the peace process. There is also concern that a Palestinian confrontation with the US on this issue could ignite violence in the West Bank.

Neither Britain nor France have officially confirmed their position on the vote next week. BBC News reports, however, that the Foreign Secretary William Hague will explain the decision to Parliament on Wednesday.