UN General Assembly Votes to Let PA President Address World Leaders by Video After US Blocks Visa
New York (QNN)- The United Nations General Assembly voted Friday to allow Palestinian Authority’s President Mahmoud Abbas to deliver his speech by video during the annual gathering of world leaders. The move came after Washington denied him a visa to enter New York.
The resolution passed with 145 votes in favor, five against, and six abstentions. The Assembly expressed “regret” over the US decision and urged Washington to reverse it.
The United States also blocked visas for about 80 Palestinians, including members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and officials from the Palestinian Authority. They had been scheduled to attend UN meetings where several states are expected to announce recognition of Palestine.
In recent weeks, countries including Britain, France, Australia, and Canada declared their intention to recognize the State of Palestine during this month’s General Assembly session.
On Friday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa said Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden informed him that his country would also recognize Palestine at the upcoming New York conference on the two-state solution, set for Monday.
Mustafa praised Luxembourg for supporting Palestinian institutions and backing international efforts to end Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.
Out of 193 UN member states, at least 149 already recognize the State of Palestine, first declared in exile in 1988.
