ABBAS IN TURKEY: PALESTINE TO RETURN TO UNSC

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara on Monday that Palestine would submit a new UN Security Council resolution for statehood "soon." (Photo: Ma'an) — **Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas: Palestine would submit a new UN Security Council resolution for statehood “soon.”** (Photo: Ma’an)

Ankara, 22 Rabi’ul Awwal 1436/13 January 2015 (MINA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara on Monday that Palestine would submit a new UN Security Council resolution for statehood soon.

“Nothing will ever deter us from continuing our march towards obtaining the rights, freedom, and independence of our people,” Abbas said, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He said he had briefed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Palestine’s efforts to return to the Security Council and join several international bodies.

Palestine will be a full member of the International Criminal Court as of April 1, Abbas added.

The president also spoke of the Israeli government’s actions in Jerusalem, saying Israel was trying to change the city’s identity.

Abbas arrived in Ankara earlier Monday, a day after visiting France to join other world leaders and hundreds of thousands of French citizens in a march against terrorism.

Palestine pushed for a vote at the UN Security Council in late December, but the resolution for Palestinian statehood and an end to Israeli occupation failed to obtain the necessary number of yes votes. The US was expected to veto the resolution had it passed. (T/P006/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)