South Africa ‘fully supports’ Palestinian UN bid

South Africa, a key UN Security Council member, “fully supports” the Palestinian bid for full membership of the United Nations, President Jacob Zuma said Wednesday.

The United States has vowed to veto any Palestinian bid. But Zuma told the UN General Assembly that Palestinian membership would be “a decisive step towards achieving lasting peace.”

“South Africa fully supports this position,” he said.

He called for the bid to be “viewed favorably” by UN members.

Lebanon and Brazil, both members of the 15-nation Security Council, announced earlier Wednesday that they will support the Palestinians.

Leading European members Britain, Germany and France have said they will not make a final decision on any vote until they have seen the Palestinian resolution.