Abbas to address Palestinian people over UN bid

Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will address the Palestinian people ahead of the United Nations (UN) bid to obtain recognition this month, his spokesman said Saturday. "The speech will completely review the importance of approaching the UN to preserve the Palestinian people's rights and achievements," said Nabil Abu Rdineh, spokesman for the Palestinian presidency. Abu Rdineh said the speech will be "very soon." The Palestinians plan to submit their request for a full UN membership on Sept. 20 during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York. Israel and the United States oppose the Palestinian move and insist the recognition of an independent Palestinian state should follow a negotiated agreement between the concerned parties. The decision to address the people was made during a meeting of Fatah's Central Committee, chaired by Abbas, who is also the leader of Fatah. Abbas Zaki, a member of the Central Committee, told Xinhua the Palestinian authority wants to reiterate its resolution before those who question the seriousness of its approach to the UN. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians stopped when Israel resumed building Jewish settlements in the West Bank last year.