NEW YORK, August 31, 2011 (WAFA) - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines island-country has recognized the Palestinian state within 1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, according to a letter sent to the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations on Monday.

Ambassador Riyad Mansour received the recognition letter from St. Vincent and the Grenadines' permanent representative to the UN, recognizing the Palestinian state as a free, independent and sovereign state.

The statement said the recognition decision comes in line with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' historical stance in supporting the Palestinians' right to self-determination and an independent state.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines hoped that the increase in number of recognitions of the Palestinian state will help end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and achieve comprehensive peace in the region, added the statement.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became the 126th UN state member to recognize the Palestinian state.

President Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Governor-General of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sir Frederick Ballantyne, and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves for their country's recognition, and expressed hope in enhancing bilateral relations between the countries.

The new recognition comes as a result of the Palestinian diplomatic movement, headed by Abbas, in preparation for the Palestinian bid to gain full UN membership of the Palestinian state in September.

R.Q./F.J.