Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told the Voice of Palestine radio station on Thursday that eight members of the Security Council have pledged to support the Palestinian statehood application, and that great efforts are being made to secure a decisive ninth supporter.

Security Council decisions require the support of nine of the 15 members, and no vetoes from the five permanent members, in order to pass.

The United States has pledged to veto the Palestinian application, which needs Security Council approval in order to be handed to the UN General Assembly for confirmation.

Al-Maliki said the Palestinians have two options for the ninth vote: Colombia and Bosnia.

The Palestinians are focusing their efforts on gaining the support of Bosnia.

Al-Maliki said that Russian, China, India, South Africa, Brazil, Lebanon, Nigeria and Gabon will support the statehood bid.

For more, go to Haaretz.com

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