NEW YORK, September 22, 2011 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas Thursday met with US President Barak Obama, on the eve of the United Nations 66th annual session, to discuss the latest developments regarding the Palestinian bid to the UN.

The meeting was held in the presence of PLO Executive Committee member, Saeb Erekat, and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the Palestinian and American sides insisted on their positions regarding the bid to the UN.

Abbas reviewed his position with Obama regarding the bid according to what has been agreed on by international parties and the Quartet statement.

He said, “This bid is the fruit of the international community’s efforts to achieve peace, after the failure of the unserious negotiations with Israel.”

Obama, however, insisted that the only way to achieve a two-state solution, which he supports, is by returning to bilateral negotiations with Israel.

M.H./F.J.