New York, Dhu-AlHijjah 21, 1437, Sep 22, 2016, SPA -- The Palestinians were in "extensive consultations" to pass a resolution at the UN Security Council on Israel's continued settlement activity, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, according to AP. Abbas warned world leaders that Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank was destroying the possibility of achieving a two-state solution to end the conflict in the Middle East. "The settlements are illegal in every aspect and any manifestation," Abbas said. "We will therefore continue to exert all efforts for the adoption of a Security Council resolution on the settlements and the terrorism of the settlers." He said consultations were ongoing with Arab and other friendly countries. "We hope that no one will cast a veto against this resolution," Abbas said. He also expressed hope that France will succeed in its international efforts to convene a peace conference before the end of 2016, noting that Israel was trying to "evade" such a conference. "It remains our hope that such a conference will lead to the establishment of a mechanism and a timeframe for an end to the occupation," Abbas said. -- SPA 23:22 LOCAL TIME 20:22 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w