A U.N. Security Council committee is expected to report Friday that it could not reach an agreement on a Palestinian application for U.N. membership.

Diplomats say the committee on admitting new members will approve a report that says it is deadlocked on the issue.

The committee began considering the request in September, after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas launched a bid to gain statehood recognition in the United Nations.

However, Palestinians appear to have fallen short of the nine approval votes needed in the 15-member Security Council.

Also, the U.S. has threatened to veto the plan if it comes before the full Council.

The U.S. and other world powers have been urging the Palestinians and Israel to return to direct talks, which stalled a year ago. Palestinians say no talks can go forward unless Israel stops building new settlements on land they want as part of a future state.

Meanwhile, the U.N.'s cultural agency says it had to suspend new programs after the U.S. cut off its funding to the agency to protest its decision to grant Palestinians membership.

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova says the U.S. move has left the agency with a $65 million “hole” in its 2011 budget.

In October, Palestinians announced plans to seek membership in U.N. organizations to boost their effort for international recognition as an independent state.