Palestinian media reports have revealed that President Mahmoud Abbas has secured promises from two thirds of UN General Assembly members to officially recognise the state of Palestine at its meeting in September.

Official sources in the Palestinian Authority told Quds net news website that at least 140 countries have said they will vote in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution to recognise Palestine.

However, membership of the United Nations requires approval by the Security Council following the assembly's recognition by two thirds of its 192 members.

Sources added that President Abbas' acceptance to attend Paris peace talks with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not affect the Palestinian Authority's plans to go to the UN for state recognition.

Abbas agreed to the French president's peace talks initiative despite its call on him to give up the “state recognition option” to continue peace talks.

At the same time, the initiative urges Israel to freeze illegal settlement building in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

“The Palestinian acceptance of France's invitation would guarantee the French president sympathy with the state recognition concept, especially after Israel's rejection of his peace initiative,” a senior Palestinian official said.

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