Vote allows raising of Palestinian and Vatican flags at United Nations

In a 119-8 vote, with 45 abstentions, the General Assembly approved a move allowing the two nonmember observer states to raise their flags following the flags of member states.

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The resolution calls on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to implement it within 20 days.

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian permanent observer at the United Nations, has previously said the action would be another step in solidifying the Palestinian government's presence in the international arena.

The Palestinian Authority gained nonmember observer state status at the United Nations in November 2012.

Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, told the General Assembly before the vote that the United States is committed to achieving the peace between Palestinians and Israelis but "raising the Palestinian flag outside the U.N. Headquarters is not an alternative to negotiations and will not bring the parties closer to peace."

The United States voted against the resolution.

According to Mansour, there are at least two open spots for flags to be posted outside U.N. Headquarters in New York.