Palestinians expect to get support from 140 countries at UN

RAMALLAH, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian negotiator said Sunday that he expected the support from 140 countries in a United Nations vote on a Palestinian state this month.

"The worldwide Palestinian campaign will continue, so in the coming days the number of countries that recognized Palestine would rise from 125 to more than 140," said Nabil Shaath, the negotiator.

Israel opposes the Palestinian appeal to the United Nations, which would be submitted on September 20.

The United States also rejects the Palestinian move, and is likely to veto any vote at the UN Security Council. However, it is unlikely to be able to halt a symbolic vote at the UN General Assembly.

Shaath welcomed discussions among the members of the European Union regarding the Palestinian bid to the UN, hoping that the EU would support the vote.