UK to Abstain in Palestinian Statehood Vote

Other European nations are expected to vote in favor of the U.N. resolution which is opposed by the U.S. and Israel

Foreign Secretary William Hague says the UK is set to abstain in a key vote on whether the Palestinians should get upgraded diplomatic status at the United Nations.

France, Spain and Norway are among those to be urging the UN General Assembly to recognise the Palestinians as a "non-member observer state".

The US and Israel oppose the move, regarded as a symbolic milestone in Palestinian ambitions for statehood.

Mr Hague is now addressing Parliament.