Jordan's King warns Abbas against U.N. bid

AMMAN, Jordan, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- King Abdullah of Jordan advised Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to reconsider next month's planned statehood bid at the United Nations, al-Madina reported.

Abdullah warned Abbas declaring statehood could jeopardize the right of return for Palestinian refugees, the Saudi Arabian daily reported Tuesday.

Abdullah said if a Palestinian state is approved before negotiations are complete, the refugees will lose all chance of returning to their previous homes or receiving compensation, Arutz Sheva said.

"The refugees are the only ones who will suffer," Arutz Sheva quoted Abdullah as saying.

The Saudi daily said Abbas rejected the warning and intends to pursue statehood as planned.

"The Israelis these days deal with us on a basis we are not a state and that the Palestinian lands are disputed territories. But when the recognition of our state on the 1967 borders happens, we will become a state under occupation, and then we would be able to go to the U.N. We will remain under occupation but our legal status will change," The Jerusalem Post said Abbas told the Saudi daily.

Abbas Sunday said Palestinians will continue to demand the return of some 5 million Palestinian refugees to their original homes inside Israel, even after the Palestinian state is recognized, the Post said.

"This case must be placed at the negotiating table and the difference between us and the Israelis is they don't want to talk about this issue," Abbas said.