Palestinian Leadership Rejects Obama's Appeal

Will seek "non-member state" status at the U.N.

The Palestinian leadership has rejected a personal appeal by Barack Obama to delay its bid to win recognition of a Palestinian state at theUnited Nations general assembly, insisting that it will submit a resolution no later than 29 November.

The US president telephoned Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, on Sunday to reiterate his opposition to the move. The Palestinians have circulated a draft resolution to the 193 countries of the UN which seeks support for "non-member state" status.