Abbas tells US he will push for upgrade at UN

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told US President Barack Obama on Sunday that he was intent on seeking a Palestinian upgrade at the United Nations despite US objections, a Palestinian official said.

Abbas spoke to Obama in a phone conversation to explain his decision, said Nabil Abu Rdaineh, an aide to the Palestinian president.

On Nov 7, the Western-backed Palestinian Authority circulated a draft resolution to UN member states that calls for upgrading its UN status to that of observer state, despite objections by the United States and Israel.