Abbas warns of govt collapse as he launches UN bid for Palestinian state

Defying US and Israeli opposition, President Mahmoud Abbas today asked the United Nations to accept Palestine as a member state.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is warning that his government could collapse if Israel continues building settlements on lands the Palestinians claim for a future state.

Mr Abbas told the UN General Assembly in New York that settlements are the key obstacle to peacemaking.

He was greeted by sustained ovation and appreciative whistles as he approached the dais to deliver a speech outlining the Palestinian quest to have the United Nations recognise an independent Palestine.

The request was formally submitted shortly before Mr Abbas spoke.

Mr Abbas urged Israel to build "bridges of dialogue" instead of "walls of separation".

He said he has asked the UN to admit the state of Palestine as a full member.

The move defies US-led international pressure to abandon such a bid.

Mr Abbas said negotiations with Israel "will be meaningless" as long as it continues building on lands the Palestinians claim for that state.

He warned that his government could collapse if the construction persists.

“This policy is responsible for the continued failure of the successive international attempts to salvage the peace process,” said Mr Abbas, who has refused to negotiate until the construction stops.

“This settlement policy threatens to also undermine the structure of the Palestinian National Authority and even end its existence.”

He said he had asked UN chief Ban Ki-moon to recognise a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem and grant it full membership in the world body.