UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Friday with 143 votes in favor and nine against, including the United States and Israel, while 25 countries abstained.

This resolution does not grant the Palestinians full UN membership but recognizes them as qualified to join.

The resolution states, "The State of Palestine... should therefore be admitted to membership" and "recommends that the Security Council reconsider the matter favorably."

By adopting this resolution, the General Assembly will upgrade the rights of the State of Palestine within the world body - but not the right to vote or put forward its candidature to organs such as the Security Council or the Economic and Social Council.

Granting Palestinian membership requires a recommendation from the Security Council. At the same time, the General Assembly determines that the State of Palestine is qualified for such status and recommends that the Security Council "reconsider the matter favorably."

The resolution, proposed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on behalf of 22 Arab countries and co-sponsored by about 65 states, asserts that "the State of Palestine is qualified for membership in the United Nations in accordance with Article 4 of the Charter and should therefore be admitted."

UAE's permanent representative to the United Nations, Mohamed Abushahab, addressed the General Assembly before the vote, emphasizing the broad recognition of the legitimacy of Palestine's bid.

"The vast majority of countries in the General Assembly are fully aware of the legitimacy of the Palestinian bid and the justness of their cause, which faces fierce attempts to suppress it and render it meaningless today," he said.

He further noted that granting Palestine full membership would send a "powerful message" in support of the two-state solution, adding, "Fulfilling the UN's historic obligation towards the Palestinian people is long overdue, but it is never too late." Enditem

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