Slovenia backs Palestine UN membership

Slovenia, an incumbent non-permanent member of the United Nations' (UN) Security Council, said on Thursday that it supports the membership of Palestine in the UN, reported Xinhua.

The Security Council will vote on Palestine's membership next week and Slovenia will vote in favor of membership, Vojko Volk, a state secretary in the cabinet of Prime Minister Robert Golob, told a news conference after a regular government session.

"Along with France and Malta, Slovenia will raise its hand to support this decision (in favor of Palestine's membership)," he said.

"We believe that there is a place for Palestine in the United Nations and that Palestine has the right to have its voice heard there," he added.

Slovenia has been a staunch advocate of a cease-fire in Gaza and is also considering officially recognizing the State of Palestine.

Last month, the leaders of Slovenia, Spain, Ireland and Malta agreed to recognize the State of Palestine when "the right circumstances arise", believing this would resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

On March 25, Slovenia was among the countries that put forward a resolution on Gaza which was passed by the Security Council, demanding an immediate cease-fire in Gaza for the holy month of Ramadan.