Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday nominated Salim Za'noon, speaker of the Palestinian National Council (PNC), as the chairman of a committee to form the Palestinian constitution.

Nabil Shaath, a member of Fatah's central committee, was nominated as Za'noon's deputy, the state-run Wafa News Agency reported.

The Palestinians will approach the United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly in September to gain a recognition of an independent Palestinian state established in the territories occupied by Israel in 1967.

The Palestinians are determined to approach the UN despite opposition of the United States and Israel.

PNA Minister of Foreign Affairs Reyad al-Malki earlier announced that Abbas would drop the Palestinian request at the UN on Sept. 20, following his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.