British News Agency

The United States vetoed Palestine's application for full membership in the United Nations Security Council, preventing the UN from recognizing a Palestinian state.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favour, the US against it, and two abstentions (UK and Switzerland).

US officials had hoped that Washington could avoid using its veto if other states objected to the council's draft resolution recommending "the admission of the State of Palestine to membership in the United Nations".

Before the vote, diplomats said the US mission had tried to persuade one or two other council members to abstain to ease Washington's isolation on the issue. Still, American officials were willing to be forced to use the US veto once again in support of Israel.