The Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour described the move as "a very important step to save the two-state solution".

BBC: Palestinian UN status vote more than symbolic?

They have reportedly shortlisted HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland, along with Saudi British Bank and Riyad Bank, as bond underwriters.

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Riyad al-Nori was arrested at his house as Army forces carried out a series of raids in the south-central Iraqi city, officials said.

CNN: Iraqi cleric's aide arrested in Najaf

Compare that with the 60% and 61% respective declines for Al Rajhi Bank and Riyad Bank of Saudi Arabia (See "Global 2000 Winners And Losers") and HSBC seems alluring.

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