Britain to abstain on Palestinian state vote

BRITAIN will abstain from the United Nations vote on the Palestinian bid for statehood, Foreign Secretary William Hague told parliament yesterday.

For the quest for full recognition to be adopted by the Security Council, the Palestinians need at least nine “yes” votes and must avoid a veto by any of the permanent council members: United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. The US already has announced it will veto the resolution.

So far, according to diplomats, the Palestinians have six “yes” votes lined up with two more “yes” votes likely, based on statements made at an admissions committee meeting last week.