United Nations (ANTARA News/AFP) - Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad held talks Sunday with Israel`s Defense Minister Ehud Barak as the two sides wrangled over the Palestinian bid for UN membership, diplomats said.

The meeting in New York came amid frantic international efforts to try to head off a showdown at the United Nations over the move to seek full recognition of a Palestinian state.

Israel has warned that the Palestinian move could increase turmoil in the Middle East. The United States has threatened to veto any application to the UN Security Council for recognition.

"There was a short meeting between the two and they discussed the UN bid, security and other issues," a diplomat told AFP on condition of anonymity. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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