Palestinian Leader to Deliver Speech to UN General Assembly via Video

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has adopted a resolution permitting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to deliver a speech to the General Assembly via video, after the United States refused to grant him a visa, according to RIA Novosti correspondents on Thursday.

On Wednesday, the US Department of State announced that US authorities have extended sanctions against the Palestinian leadership, which, as in the previous year, has prevented Abbas from obtaining a visa to attend the UN General Assembly.

The US Department of State stated that it has informed Congress that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) have failed to meet their obligations to the US, prompting action from the American authorities.

Based on the adopted document, the General Assembly decided that “the State of Palestine may deliver a pre-recorded statement by the President of Palestine, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall during the general debate of the Assembly at the 80th session, after being introduced by its representative physically present in the General Assembly Hall.”

The document was supported by 152 nations, while three countries opposed it and four abstained.

The General Assembly also expressed regret over the US decision to deny a visa to the Palestinian representative.