UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council failed Tuesday to adopt a resolution on Palestinian statehood that was strongly opposed by the United States.
China, France and Russia were among the eight countries that voted in favor of the text, but the resolution fell short of winning the nine "yes" votes necessary for adoption in the 15-member council.
Australia and the United States voted against, and five other countries abstained, including Britain.
The resolution drafted by the Palestinians and backed by Arab countries would have paved the way to a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
It set a 12-month deadline for Israel to reach a final peace deal with the Palestinians and called for a full Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian territories by the end of 2017.
Security Council member Jordan had requested the vote on the measure despite opposition from the United States, which argued that the resolution did not address Israel´s security concerns.
"This resolution sets the stage for more division, not for compromise," said US Ambassador Samantha Power.
"This text addresses the concerns of just one side." US Secretary of State John Kerry had lobbied in the days leading up to the vote, calling 13 foreign ministers to explain US opposition.
Washington was not, however, compelled to resort to its veto power to block the measure -- a move that could have undermined US standing in the Arab world.
A US veto risked angering key Arab allies, including partners in the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.
Argentina, Chad, Chile, Jordan, Luxembourg joined France, China and Russia in supporting the resolution. Lithuania, Nigeria, South Korea, Rwanda abstained, along with Britain.
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