French want Palestinians to drop UN membership bid
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The French and US presidents planned to heap pressure on their Palestinian counterpart Wednesday in a concerted push to persuade Mahmoud Abbas to end his bid for full UN membership and to instead seek upgraded status in the world body.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French leader, will make his pitch during a speech at the opening session of the UN General Assembly. After he speaks to the world body, President Barack Obama will likewise argue against the Palestinian drive for UN membership when he meets with Abbas on Wednesday. (AP)
