Maldives has welcomed the United Nations General Assembly’s decision on Friday to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine and call on the Security Council to favorably reconsider its request to become the 194th member of the United Nations.

Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer, in a post on X Friday night, affirmed Maldives’ unwavering support to the people of Palestine in their pursuit for self-determination, including their right to an independent and sovereign state.

He noted that Friday’s resolution had been co-sponsored by Maldives, alongside 142 other nations, to ensure its adoption by voting in favor.

“Despite setbacks, this resolution has paved the way to admit Palestine as a full member of the United Nations,” he added.

The 193-member UN General Assembly approved the resolution by a vote of 143-9 with 25 abstentions on Friday.

It “determines” that the state of Palestine is qualified for membership – dropping the original language that in the General Assembly’s judgment it is “a peace-loving state”. Henceforth, the resolution recommends that the Security Council reconsider its request “favorably.”