Palestinians plan to declare independence unilaterally

The Palestinians said they are so fed up with the lack of progress in peace talks and thus are preparing to declare independence unilaterally. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told Israel's Army Radio station on Sunday that the Palestinians plan on asking the U.N. Security Council to recognize their independence.

Erekat declined to say when the Palestinians would turn to the council. According to Erekat, the Palestinians need to keep their hopes for independence alive. "We're fed up with your time-wasting," Erekat told conveyed. "We don't believe that you really want a two-state solution."

"Israel is continuing the occupation and is not prepared to return to the negotiating table," Erekat added. "It is maintaining the settlements and continuing to build in the territories; this situation cannot continue. We must reach a two-state solution."