St. Vincent, Grenadines back Palestinian bid

The Caribbean islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines announced their recognition of a Palestinian state in an official letter sent to the United Nations, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Tuesday.

So far exactly 125 states have declared their recognition of a Palestinian state.

The official letter, sent by the islands' Foreign Ministry, was handed to Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour. It stated that the government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has officially recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state.

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The government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines wrote of its long standing affirmation of legitimate aspirations for independence, expressing its support of the Palestinian cause.

The letter also stated that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hope other countries will follow their lead and recognize a Palestinian state, in order to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the islands' leaders for their support, adding he hopes this move will strengthen their relationship.

The letter comes only a week after Honduras and El Salvador announced their recognition of a Palestinian state.

With the General Assembly meeting in September nearing, the Palestinian Authority has been hard at work to promote its bid for statehood, focusing on the Caribbeans, South America and Central America in recent weeks.

Palestinians hope to gain the support of Mexico as well.

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