Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has criticized the United Nations' recognition of Palestine for creating "further obstacles in the path to peace" between Palestinians and Israelis.

Speaking at a conference in Washington, Clinton called the resolution approved Thursday "unfortunate and counterproductive."

She said the U.S. believes that "only through direct negotiations between the parties can the Palestinians and Israelis achieve the peace that both deserve: two states for two people, with a sovereign, viable and independent Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security with a Jewish and democratic Israel."

Despite American opposition, the U.N. General Assembly overwhelmingly recognized the state of Palestine. The vote was 138-9 with 41 abstentions.