Iran welcomes de facto recognition of Palestinian state

TEHRAN,Dec.1(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast on Friday welcomed the fact that the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to grant Palestinians limited recognition of statehood. The 193-member UN body voted 138 to 9, with 41 abstentions, to recognize Palestine as a “non-member observer state”. Mehmanparast described the vote as a step forward, saying, “This achievement can provide a good opportunity for the restoration of the rights of the Palestinian nation.” It will also facilitate legal investigations into war crimes that the Zionist regime has committed against the oppressed and defenseless people of Palestine and will help prevent further crimes from being committed, he stated. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also expressed hope that the ground would be prepared for the full recognition of the Palestinian state.