Palestinian diplomats on Wednesday stepped up lobbying for a Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements but the United States spoke out strongly against the initiative. The United States warned at the United Nations that putting the resolution to a Security Council vote would "complicate" peace efforts.
The Palestinian resolution was formally put to the 15-member council on Tuesday night with Lebanon, Brazil and South Africa as the council sponsors. Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Ryad Mansour, said the resolution would help bring Palestinians and Israelis back to direct talks.