The US has warned Britain and France against recognizing a Palestinian state at a UN conference later this month, reports the Middle East Eye (MME).

France and Saudi Arabia are set to co-host a major UN conference on the two-state solution beginning on June 17 in New York

France is reportedly gearing up to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state at the conference. MEE understands that France has been lobbying Britain to do so as well.

French officials believe the British government is onboard with the plan, according to French media.

But Washington privately begun to warn Britain and France against unilaterally recognizing Palestine, sources with knowledge of the matter in the British Foreign Office told MEE.

At the same time Arab states are urging them to proceed with the move, sources said

Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, told MEE: “There are no legitimate grounds for the US to interfere in a sovereign decision by Britain and France to recognize another state. A Franco-British recognition would be to acknowledge the Palestinian right to nationhood and to be equal partners in any future negotiations with Israel.”

“Based on precedent with this British government, US objection to recognition would be more likely to have an impact on Britain than on France,” Doyle added.