LOC20:00
17:00 GMT
CAIRO, Dec 24 (KUNA) -- The Egyptian Foreign Ministry hailed on Friday as
"positive step" Bolivia's recognition of the planned Palestinian state.
"The move falls in the framework of efforts aiming to ensure the right of
the Palestinian people to establish an independent and fully sovereign state
enjoying a wide-ranging international backing with East Jerusalem as its
capital," the Ministry's spokesman Husam Zaki told reporters here.
"The Bolivian decision reflects credibility of the Palestine question and
the increasing appreciation of the international community for the
Palestinians quest for fair and permanent peace in the Middle East,"
Ambassador Zaki noted.
He voiced hope that the development would encourage other countries to
follow suit and bolster up the international consensus on Palestinian
statehood within the borders of June 4, 1967.
Earlier this month, Argentina and Brazil and Uruguay declared recognition
of Palestine, a move that was widely hailed by the Arab world, particularly
the Palestinian National Authority. (end)
az.gb
KUNA 242000 Dec 10NNNN