Arab League helps finalize PA bid

Representatives of the Arab League met in Doha, Qatar to put the final touches on the Palestinian Authority's application to the UN for recognition of a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 lines. The meeting comes as the Palestinian Authority leadership in Ramallah continues to face pressure from the US and European Union to abandon its statehood plan and return to the negotiating table with Israel. Several Arab legal experts who were invited by the PA to help in the wording of the application to the UN in September, attended the meeting. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Arab League Secretary- General Nabil Elaraby, who is considered an expert on international law, and representatives from Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman were also present. When the application is completed, it will be handed over to the UN secretary general so he could bring it before the General Assembly in September.