ELAD BENARI:EL SALVADOR PREEMPTS RECOGNITION OF A PALARAB STATE IN US….SEE NOTE
Funes said he hoped his decision would help foster peace in Israel, adding that he supported Israel’s right to maintain secure borders.
El Salvador has recognized Palestine as an independent state, Reuters reported on Thursday.
El Salvador’s President Mauricio Funes was quoted by the news agency as having said in a news conference, “This decision was made in the context of the profound respect El Salvador has for sovereign decisions by members of the United Nations, the majority of whom have recognized the Palestinian state.”
Funes said he hoped his decision would help foster peace in Israel, adding that he supported Israel’s right to maintain secure borders.
The PA-based WAFA news agency reported on Thursday that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Funes for the recognition, expressing hope that it will bolster bilateral relations.
El Salvador’s recognition comes as the PA prepares to present its statehood bid to the United Nations on September 20.
The United States has said it would veto recognition of a Palestinian state, but WAFA reported that at least 19 Central American and Caribbean countries are expected to follow El Salvador and recognize Palestine. According to WAFA, this will give the PA two-thirds of the number of votes needed at the United Nations General Assembly once the recognition resolution comes up for a vote.
Earlier on Thursday, WAFA had reported that the Chinese Middle East envoy to the peace process, Wu Sike, had transferred a message from the Chinese leadership confirming China’s full support for the PA’s UN bid.
According to the report, Wu gave the letter to Presidential General Secretary, Tayyeb Abdul Rahim, during a meeting in the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.
Wu also reportedly said that the Chinese leadership and people are closely following the PA’s efforts in their preparation for going to the UN. He confirmed that the bid to the UN does not contradict the peace process and the resumption of negotiations with Israel.
Israel’s Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, is also scheduled to meet Wu in Jerusalem on Friday, though it is unknown what the two plan to talk about.
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