Palestinians plan next steps after failed UN bid

RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he is still weighing his options after a resounding defeat in the U.N. Security Council. But the Palestinian leader is hinting that he could join the International Criminal Court in the very near future _ a move that would put him on a collision course with Israel.

Speaking Wednesday to a rally of his Fatah movement, Abbas said Tuesday's decision by the U.N. Security Council was not ``the end of the world.'' He said the Palestinian response ``will begin tonight.''

The Palestinian resolution had sought an end to Israeli occupation of lands the Palestinians demand within three years.

Abbas has said that he would join the International Criminal Court, where he can pursue war crimes against Israel, if the council resolution failed.