Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has told President Obama that he is set on gaining non-member status for the PA, despite US opposition.

According to Nabil Abu Rdaineh, an aide to President Abbas, the two leaders spoke on the phone on Sunday.

"President Abbas cited the reasons and motives for the Palestinian decision to seek non-member statehood as continued Israeli settlement activity and the continued attacks on Palestinians and their property," Reuters reported Mr Abu Rdaineh saying.

"Obama informed President Abbas of US opposition to the bid," he added.

President Obama tried to persuade President Abbas not to push forward for an upgrade from the PA’s current status of observer state.

PLO representatives distributed a draft of a General Assembly declaration on the PA’s status last week, and President Abbas has said the request for the status change will be made before the end of the month.