UNSC refers Palestinian application to become full member to committee

NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council on Monday referred the Palestinian Authority’s application to become a full member of the world body to the committee on the admission of new members.

Malta’s UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier proposed that the committee meet on Monday at 3 pm to consider the application. Malta is president of the Security Council for April.

Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said he discussed the need for a solution in Gaza, most importantly the release of hostages from Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, in his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday.

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Lapid, speaking to reporters following the discussion, said a hostage deal is difficult but doable. Israel is also worried about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need to avoid hurting people in the Palestinian territory, he added.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian inaugurated a new site for Iranian consular services in the Syrian capital on Monday, Syrian state media reported, in a building near the previous consulate flattened in an Israeli airstrike last week.