UN to vote on Palestinian enhanced status

The UN General Assembly is set to vote on upgrading the Palestinian status from observer entity to observer state. Palestinians say the bid, which would give it the same "non-member state" status as the Vatican, is an attempt to rescue the Middle East peace process. Analysts say the application is likely to win approval in the 193-member body when it is put to a vote, because it needs only a simple majority to pass. The bid is strongly opposed by Israel and the US. The UK may abstain. According to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), more than 130 countries now grant the Palestinians the rank of a sovereign state. They chose the "International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People" for the vote, which is set to take place at 21:00 GMT and will be preceded by a number of speeches focusing on the rights of the Palestinians.

 via BBC News/more