(VOVWORLD) - Secretary-General of the Arab League (AL) Ahmed Aboul-Gheit said on Saturday that countries advocating for the two-state solution for Israel-Palestine must expedite their efforts to translate this vision into reality.
 Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Abul-Gheit |
Aboul-Gheit's comment comes 24 hours after the UN General Assembly (UNGA) voted by a more than two-thirds majority for the draft resolution granting more rights to Palestine and urging the UN Security Council to reconsider Palestine's bid to become the 194th member of the UN.
In a statement, the AL chief said the UNGA vote in favour of Palestine's UN membership vividly reflects the global consensus and international public opinion on the Palestinian cause.
He stressed that the recognition of the Palestinian state and its attainment of full membership in the United Nations are crucial steps towards the two-state goal.
The recognition of Palestine sends a vital message of support to the Palestinians, who are enduring a grave tragedy, he added.
The UNGA resolution would expand the rights of Palestine in the UN, including the right to introduce and co-sponsor proposals within the UNGA, but falls short of granting it full membership rights in voting.
Palestine – currently holds observer status in the international body – would be able to sit among member states, and raise procedural motions, among other rights.
The UNGA-endorsed resolution is expected to be submitted for a vote by the UN Security Council, per UN regulations.