BEIRUT: Lebanon is set to recognize the Palestinian state, various media reports said Saturday, adding that President Mahmoud Abbas will visit the country in mid-August.
Lebanon’s decision comes as it is preparing to head the United Nations Security Council in September coinciding with the Palestinian Authority’s plan to campaign to win U.N. recognition.
It is the only Arab country that has not yet recognized the Palestinian state.
Sources told International Middle East Media Center that President Michel Sleiman had requested that Abbas visit Lebanon to discuss the international recognition of the Palestinian state.
However, Baabda Palace has not released any official statement regarding Abbas’ visit.
Abbas began reaching out to the governments last year as part of an effort to win recognition of a Palestinian state within the borders defined in 1967.
The Palestinians plan to ask the U.N. General Assembly to recognize a Palestinian state when the world body gathers in September, a move opposed by Israel and the United States which say progress can only be made through peace negotiations.
The head of the pan-Arab organization Nabil al-Arabi said in July the Palestinian application for U.N. membership will be submitted by the Arab League.
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