US blocks Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas from attending UN meeting in New York

The decision comes as France leads international efforts to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN meeting next month.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio blamed them for undermining peace efforts and for seeking "the unilateral recognition of a conjectural Palestinian state".

The decision, welcomed by Israel, is unusual as the US is expected to facilitate travel for officials of all countries wishing to visit the UN headquarters.

The ban comes as France leads international efforts to recognise a state of Palestine at the session - a move Donald Trump's administration has opposed.

The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, had earlier said that, as head of its delegation, Abbas would be attending the meeting of heads of state and government.