Palestinians rally for UN statehood bid

RAMALLAH / NEW YORK - Flag-waving Palestinians filled the squares of major West Bank cities on Wednesday to rally behind President Mahmoud Abbas' bid for statehood recognition at the United Nations despite US and Israeli objections.

"We are asking for the most simple of rights, a state like other nations," said Sabrina Hussein, 50, carrying the green, red, black and white Palestinian national flag at a demonstration in Ramallah.

US President Barack Obama was to meet Abbas in New York later on Wednesday, just hours after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a US official said.