Description
Added on the 21/01/2018 23:07:55 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Ireland's Prime Minister says his country is recognising a Palestinian state "because we believe in freedom and justice as the fundamental principles of international law". Simon Harris draws parallels with Ireland's own request for international recognition, made in 1919. Israel says it is withdrawing its envoys from Ireland, Norway and Spain as the three countries announce plans to recognise a Palestinian state. SOUNDBITE
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ramallah. Blinken is on his final stop on a Middle East tour aimed at curbing the worst outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian violence in years. IMAGES
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is disappointed by an Israeli parliament vote against the creation of a Palestinian state, his spokesman says. "You can't vote away the two-state solution so the secretary-general is very disappointed by the decision of the Knesset," said spokesman Stephane Dujarric. SOUNDBITE
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, meets Mohammad Mustafa, Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, in Brussels. The meeting takes place as the EU hosts discussions aimed at strengthening the Palestinian Authority for Gaza. IMAGES
Recognising the State of Palestine "is justice for the Palestinian people (and) the best guarantee of security for Israel," Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares says alongside Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa. SOUNDBITE
Supporters of Zambian President Lungu hold a rally in Lusaka during a tense presidential race, which has been marked by clashes between rival supporters. The presidential election will take place on Thursday. IMAGES.