UN Chief Regrets US Visa Ban on Palestinian President Abbas
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep regret on Friday over the United States' decision to deny visas to several Palestinian officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, preventing their participation in the upcoming UN General Assembly meetings.
Guterres's spokesperson stated that the Secretary-General "strongly regrets" Washington's announcement to extend measures that hinder members of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority officials from attending UN gatherings. This marks the second consecutive year the US has refused entry visas to President Abbas and the Palestinian delegation.
The US decision will limit Palestinian participation in the annual UN General Assembly sessions solely to members of the Palestinian Mission to the UN. The decision was announced on Thursday.