UN vote gives recognition to Palestinian state

The 193-nation UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution last night to upgrade the Palestinian Authority’s observer status at the UN from “entity” to “non-member state”, implicitly recognising a Palestinian state.

There were 138 votes in favour, nine against and 41 abstentions.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton described the vote as “unfortunate and counterproductive”, and said it would make peace more difficult.