Palestine deserves 'full recognition,' Abbas tells UN

Abbas delivers his address ahead of a ceremony to raise the Palestinian flag at the world body for the first time

UNITED STATES: Palestine deserves full membership and recognition as a state at the United Nations, Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas told the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

Abbas delivered his address ahead of a ceremony to raise the Palestinian flag at the world body for the first time, alongside those of the UN's 193 member states.

"Palestine, which is an observer state in the United Nations, deserves full recognition and full membership," he said.

Abbas appealed to "those countries that have not yet recognized the state of Palestine yet, to do so."

The General Assembly voted September 10 to allow the flags of Palestine and the Vatican -- both have observer status – to be raised at the United Nations.

The resolution was backed by 119 countries, with 45 abstentions and eight votes against, including Australia, Israel and the United States.