Fake Text Delays Process of COP17

A fake negotiating text which was issued by unknown source was distributed to the Durban climate conference delegations at the most critical time when all Parties strive for the last deal in Durban.

The 17th Conference to Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) which was schedule to end on Friday afternoon has been postponed till Saturday afternoon.

"There is actually one fake negotiating text that was circulated in early Saturday morning among the delegates." One Chinese official who involved in the negotiation told Xinhua.

Many delegates said the main sticking point in the conference is the form and timing of a possible successor to the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement against global warming, which expires late 2012.

"It is distributed under the name of COP17 Presidency and the fake text was with a note that it had been drawn up by Mexico, EU, US, Brazil, China, India and South Africa." the official added.

COP17 President Maite Nkoana-Mashabane had to issue an official denial of the text later.

Time is now quite limited for the final deal, all the negotiators are racing with time.

"We are striving to reach a fair and balanced deal as soon as possible," the official said.