President Barack Obama meets with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in the Oval Office in 2009. Photo: White House

Politico – In connection with President Barack Obama’s visit to the Middle East last month, the Palestinian Authority agreed to halt its drive to obtain further recognition from United Nations agencies, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki said Monday.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas “committed the Palestinians not to pursue membership to United Nations specialized agencies, international organizations, or to sign international agreements or conventions pending the [peace] efforts being really made by [Secretary of State John] Kerry and the administration as a whole,” Al-Malki told reporters at a briefing in Washington.

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