H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister has attended the Palestinian flag-raising ceremony at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York in the presence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and President of 70th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Mogens Lykketoft, along with a large crowd of diplomats and media persons.

A number of Arab foreign ministers and international officials also attended the event.

The UN Secretary General and President of the UNGN 70th session delivered welcome speeches on the occasion of the flag hoisting at the UN offices worldwide. They greeted the Palestinian leadership and people.

Ki-moon described the event as 'historic and day of hope' for Palestinians across the world, but warned, "This is not final, as decisive steps have to be taken to set up a Palestinian state, and achieve unity between the West Bank and Gaza Strip under one Palestinian authority."

He noted that it was a time for backing initiatives that call for the two-state solution and prepare the ground for resumption of serious talks to restore confidence and reach a peaceful and durable solution based on the two-state solution.

The UN chief said the raising of the flag reflects the Palestinian Authority's commitment to continue and pursue long efforts to realise the dream of the Palestinian people to set up their independent and sovereign state. He added that the event also demonstrates the UN commitment to backing aspirations of the Palestinian people

Source: WAM