Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia welcomed on Tuesday the recognition of the Palestinian state by France, Belgium and five other countries during the international high-level conference on the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of the two-state solution, which was co-chaired by the Kingdom and France at the UN General Assembly headquarters in New York.
Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Andorra, and San Marino joined France and Belgium in recognizing the State of Palestine. The move of these countries followed the recognition of the Palestinian state by Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal on Sunday.
“The continued recognition of the State of Palestine by various countries reaffirms the international consensus on the inherent right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, as well as to establish their own state, to live in peace and security on their land, and to achieve their aspirations for stability and prosperity,” the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement carried by Saudi Press Agency.Saudi Arabia reiterated its call to all countries to recognize the Palestinian state and to continue taking concrete steps to support the Palestinian Authority and to consolidate the two-state solution. It noted that these are essential to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, safeguard their inalienable rights, and enable all countries in the region to live in lasting peace and security.
