ALBAWABA - The Prime Minister of Malta, Robert Abela, announced on Tuesday that his country will recognize the State of Palestine at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
Malta's decision came following a similar announcement made by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the UK will be recognizing the state of Palestine.
"Our position expresses our commitment to efforts to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East," Abela wrote on Facebook.
The government in Malta has been under increasing pressure from within its ranks to recognize a Palestinian state, and the right-wing opposition called for immediate recognition in mid-July.
Abela first revealed plans to recognize a Palestinian state in May, but the decision was later postponed.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Britain intends to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly next September, "if the Israeli government does not take substantive steps to end the horrific situation in Gaza and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace."
French President Emmanuel Macron also announced that his country will formally recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.
