UK ready to back Palestine recognition calls - Foreign SecretaryNovember 28, 2012 - 18:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Britain is ready to back calls at the United Nations for recognition of a Palestinian state if it gives a commitment to an immediate and unconditional return to the negotiating table with Israel, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said, according to Belfast Telegraph. In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Hague said he would also be seeking an assurance that the Palestinians would not seek to extend the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over the territories before deciding which way to vote in Thursday, November 29 debate at the UN General Assembly. The move comes after France announced that it was ready to support the resolution to upgrade the Palestinians' status at the UN from observer to non-member observer state. With the General Assembly dominated by countries sympathetic to the Palestinian cause - and no veto for members of the Security Council - the resolution looks set to be passed, despite the vehement opposition of both Israel and the United States. The Israelis have already said they will not return to negotiations following the vote, arguing that it would undermine efforts to secure a Middle East peace settlement. Mr Hague told MPs that he had appealed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - who he praised as a "courageous man of peace" - not to move the resolution at the General Assembly, but to give the newly re-elected US administration of Barack Obama the chance to launch a fresh peace initiative. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |