Palestinian Authority plans to declare state on Dec. 31

RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has set a new date for statehood -- Dec. 31.

PA officials said the Palestinian leadership now intends to announce a state on Dec. 31, on the eve of the launching of the Fatah movement loyal to PA Chairman Yasser Arafat. On that date in 1965, Fatah carried out its first attack on Israel.

"The announcement of independence and of the realization of Palestinian sovereignty over Palestinian territories occupied by Israel in 1967 will coincide with the anniversary," Palestinian National Council chairman Salim Zaanoun said.

Zaanoun said the PLO Central Committee will meet at the end of December to discuss the issue.

The committee has three times postponed statehood amid a warning by some officials that a declaration would be useless without international recognition and support.