Palestinian Statehood

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks in Cairo on September 13, 2011.

Turkey has called for the Palestinian flag to finally be raised at the UN, saying that international recognition of Palestine is now an obligation rather than an option.

"We must work hand in hand with our Palestinian brothers. The Palestinian cause is the cause of human dignity. It's time to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations. Let's raise the Palestinian flag and let that flag be the symbol of peace and justice in the Middle East," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a Tuesday address to the Arab League in Cairo, according to a report by The Guardian .

The prime minister used the much-anticipated speech to the Arab League to build opposition against the Israeli regime, vowing that Turkey would stand by those that struggle for their political rights in the Arab world.

Before the year's end "we will see Palestine in a very different situation," he emphasized.

Erdogan went on to insist that Israeli government's mentality is a barrier to peace in the Middle East.

Defying Israeli threats and US opposition, the Palestinian Authority (PA) is preparing to make a statehood bid at the UN General Assembly’s annual meeting. The Palestinian delegation is due to arrive in New York on September 19 and will submit an application for an official membership to the world body in the following days.

"Freedom and democracy and human rights must be a united slogan for the future of our people," Erdogan stated.

Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas, who is also in Egypt, has said that he will be pressing ahead with Palestine's bid for full recognition at the UN Security Council, despite persisting US threats to veto the legitimate effort.

PA says that more than 130 countries would recognize the state of Palestine, which is more than the two-thirds majority required in the 193-member UN General Assembly.