Mahmoud Abbas to address UN by video after visa denial

The United Nations General Assembly voted Friday to allow Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to address the body's high-level meeting by video link after Washington denied him a visa.

"The State of Palestine may submit a pre-recorded statement of its President, which will be played in the General Assembly Hall," said the resolution.

The US refused to issue visas for Abbas and nearly 80 other Palestinians, including officials from the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, who were scheduled to attend the General Assembly meetings in New York.

The move comes as several nations are expected to recognize a Palestinian state during the sessions.

General Assembly Expresses Regret

In a resolution supported by 145 members, with five opposing and six abstaining, the General Assembly expressed its "regret" over Washington's decision and called for it to be reversed.

To ensure the Palestinians' voices are heard, the General Assembly allowed Abbas to deliver a pre-recorded video statement during the General Debate of the 80th session, which is expected to be attended by around 140 heads of state and government.

The General Assembly also decided that Palestinian Authority representatives could participate in all discussions at Monday's summit on the future of the two-state solution via video conferencing.