Obama to meet Abbas to avert showdown over statehood at UN

The White House said Obama has added Abbas to his long list of foreign dignitaries whom he is scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Others include Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and President of South Sudan Salva Kiir Mayardit.

Abbas was not on the list when the White House briefed reporters last week on Obama's upcoming trip to the United Nations.

Both the United States and Israel oppose Palestinians' bid to seek statehood at the UN, arguing the unilateral move is counterproductive and a two-state solution can only be achieved through direct negotiations between the two parties; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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