The Palestinian President has decided to avoid direct negotiations with Israel, a decision that is "regrettable," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office said. The statement released by Netanyahu's office on Saturday night was in response to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' decision to seek recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations next month rather than negotiate with Israel. "Abbas has apparently decided to avoid direct negotiations with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu ... Netanyahu still believes that only direct and real negotiations -- not unilateral decisions -- can advance the peace process," the statement said. On Saturday, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said Abbas plans to present his request for statehood recognition personally to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the start of the U.N. General Assembly on September 20. The reason September was chosen al-Maliki said is because Lebanon holds the presidency of the Security Council. An unnamed Palestinian official said Abbas met with Israeli President Shimon Peres at least four times in recent months in an effort to resume negotiations between the sides. The official said a fifth meeting was cancelled at Netanyahu's request.