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UN approves proposal to raise Palestinian flag

Xinhua, September 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to approve raising Palestinian flag at UN headquarters.

The resolution "decides that the flags of non-member observer States at the United Nations maintaining permanent observer missions at Headquarters shall be raised at Headquarters and United Nations offices following the flags of the States Members of the United Nations."

A total of 119 countries voted "yes," 45 abstained and 8 countries voted "no."

In 2012, UN General Assembly granted an update of Palestine's status to non-member state, which is an implicit and symbolic recognition of Palestine's statehood at the UN.

The resolution also requests the Secretary-General to take necessary measures for the implementation of this decision during the 70th session of the General Assembly and within 20 days of its adoption.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at the beginning of this month that the UN will follow the decision of the General Assembly, adding that "it's up to the member states to make that decision."

After the vote, Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said the "historic" vote constitutes the information of the international community in support of a just, lasting, comprehensive and peaceful solution to the question of Palestine. Endit