The Palestinian Mission at the United Nations has thanked President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for his comments about the statehood of Palestine in his general debate statement at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.

Sharing a screenshot of President Solih speaking about Palestine and its plight, the mission said via Twitter that the President of the Republic of Maldives uses his platform to address the unjust and illegal occupation of Palestine.

It asked the global community when would the country's time for freedom come and thanked the Maldives for the President's comments.

Addressing the UNGA, President Solih said that despite decades of United Nations efforts, the Palestinian people have yet to see justice. He stated that we continue to bear witness to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people being so wantonly violated, in ever-escalating ways, by Israel. Despite the many resolutions of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, the rights of Palestine are minimal or non-existent.

Speaking as the head of a small island state who is able to stand in front of the general assembly because the Maldives was recognized as a sovereign nation, President Solih questioned the assembly on what the world has to lose by fully recognizing Palestine as an independent State.

President Solih addresses the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City/ Photo: President's Office

He pointed out the generations of educated youth around the world are standing up for the rights of the Palestinian people, standing up in protest against the unjust and inhumane treatment of the Palestinian people.

President Solih called on the UN, on behalf of the Maldivian people, to fully recognize the Palestinian State with all the benefits and opportunities that membership confers and to extend the same privileges to the millions of Palestinian to have their individual liberties protected.