The FINANCIAL -- CAIRO, Arab countries support the Palestinian National Authority's bid to unilaterally seek recognition at the United Nations as an independent state, President Mahmoud Abbas said on November 17.

"This decision is based on the resolution on an Arab League commission to promote the peace initiative," the Palestinian leader said.

The commission includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Bahrain, Yemen, Sudan, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Qatar, as well as the Palestinian government.

Chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said last week that the Palestinian Authority was preparing to ask the UN Security Council to endorse an independent Palestinian state in its June 1967 borders. The Palestinians demand their state be established on the territory of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

The West Bank-based officials said the move was due to a lack of progress in peace talks with Tel Aviv. Palestinian officials have expressed disappointment that the U.S. President Barack Obama has failed to pressure Israel on West Bank settlement construction.

The Palestinians are seeking to enlist support of Arab states, Europe, Russia, China and other international groups of the move. The European Union and the United States have already rejected the plan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned the Palestinian leadership that any move to unilaterally declare independence could lead to "unilateral steps on the part of Israel."

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