PLO to lobby UN for statehood if prisoners not freed on time

Palestinian leaders on Tuesday threatened to renew their diplomatic push at the United Nations if Israel fails to free Palestinian prisoners as scheduled this weekend.

"We shall turn to the UN's international organizations if Israel does not release the fourth and final group of prisoners," said Yasser Abed Rabbo, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization's executive committee.

"The release of the prisoners is in return for the freeze on seeking membership in international organizations," he told official Voice of Palestine radio.(AFP)