Islamic Summit Endorses Palestinian Bid for UN Membership

2012-08-16 21:32:37 Xinhua Web Editor: Li

The Islamic Summit held in Saudi Arabia this week endorsed the Palestinian bid for UN membership, a senior Palestinian official said Thursday.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Palestinian efforts to achieve the status of Non-member State at the UN received unanimous support from 57 countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) who participated in the Mecca summit.

According to Erekat, all members pledged to support and vote yes when the Palestinian delegation presents their application to the UN General Assembly in September.

Erekat said that the bid comes as the peace process between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has been faltering since October 2010, amid Israel's refusal "to stop settlement and abide by the principle of two-state solution on the border occupied in 1967."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also presented at the summit, showing a comprehensive strategic plan for developing the occupied East Jerusalem. The plan covers health, education, environment, housing and other sectors, which was approved by the OIC.

At the end of the summit on Wednesday, the Charter of Mecca was issued stating the importance of Palestine to the Islamic nations.

CRIENGLISH.com claims the copyright of all material and information produced originally by our staff. All rights reserved. Reproduction of text for non-commercial purposes only is permitted provided that both the source and author are acknowledged and a notifying email is sent to us.

CRIENGLISH.com holds neither liability nor responsibility for materials attributed to any other source. Such information is provided as reportage and dissemination of information but does not necessarily reflect the opinion of or endorsement by CRI.