(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The Arab League on Sunday welcomed a recent decision by the Vatican to recognize the state of Palestine as a constructive move that would lead to "opening more doors".
"This decision didn't come out of nothing as the Vatican has a great position across the world," Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League for Palestine Mohammad Al-Subeeh said in a news statement.
He noted that up to 136 countries had now recognized the state of Palestine, a figure which is higher than that of the countries which recognize Israel.
The Vatican officially recognized the state of Palestine in a new treaty finalized Wednesday, immediately drawing Arab and Muslim welcome but sparking Israeli ire and accusations that the move hurt peace prospects.
The treaty, which concerns the activities of the Catholic Church in Palestinian territory, is both deeply symbolic and makes explicit that the Holy See has switched its diplomatic recognition from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) to the state of Palestine.
The Vatican had welcomed the decision by the UN General Assembly in 2012 to recognize a Palestinian state and had referred to the Palestine state since.
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