US to block Palestinian bid for UN membership

The US government is stepping up its diplomatic efforts to block a Palestinian bid for full membership in the United Nations.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been leading the US diplomatic maneuvering to persuade members of the UN Security Council not to support Palestinians ahead of the council's informal talks on their bid on Monday.

A senior US official says Clinton this week met representatives for Nigeria and South Africa, 2 of the 10 non-permanent council members.

Clinton has reportedly urged them not to support the bid, saying that a Palestinian state should be achieved through direct talks with Israel.

The official also says that Clinton is expected to meet officials from other council members --- China, Colombia, and Lebanon --- in separate talks on Monday.

The US appears to wish to avoid exercising its veto in the Security Council, which it fears could draw sharp reactions from Arab nations and undermine its international credibility under the Obama administration.