Egypt calls on US to recognize Palestinian state

Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil al-Arabi on Sunday called on the United States to recognize a Palestinian state, as rival Palestinian factions prepare to sign a reconciliation accord in Cairo.

Arabi urged visiting US Congressman Steve Chabot to "press Congress and the American administration to recognize a Palestinian state." He added that recognition "would correspond with previous statements by the American administration supporting peace based on two states," the official MENA news agency quoted him as saying. (AFP)