United Nations –  Nigeria on Tuesday reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian State, but fell short of disclosing how it would vote on the Palestinians’ request for UN membership.

Amb. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s envoy to the UN and Security Council and President for the month of October, disclosed this at a briefing on the programme of the Security Council for the month.

“We will cross the bridge when we get to the bridge,’’ Ogwu told journalists in New York, while responding to a question on how Nigeria would vote on the Palestinians’ request for UN membership.   .

“Nigeria is unequivocal in its support of Palestine State.

“How we vote is a decision of the Nigerian Government and it is the responsibility of Nigeria; but I want to assure you that we will approach this issue and this problem with the greatest sense of duty and responsibility,’’she added.

According to her, Nigeria supports a two-state solution to the crisis, adding that had recognised Palestine since 1984.

“Nigeria will be and continues to be a peaceful arbiter on the question in the Middle East; we want and do advocate peace in the end,’’she said.

Asked whether the Palestinians should have delayed their application for full membership at the UN until they resolved their differences with Israel, the Nigerian envoy described the Palestinian application as a “legitimate national aspiration. ’’

“It is very difficult to deny the right of the Palestinian authority to ask to realise their legitimate national aspiration.

“They have acted in the light of their national aspiration and we do hope that it will be realised,’’she said.

For Palestinian request to be granted, they must garner nine Security Council votes and avoid being vetoed by one of the five permanent members

The U. S. has vowed to use its veto power if it came to  voting.

Last Friday, the Security Council membership committee referred the Palestinian request for full UN membership to its experts to evaluate whether it met the criteria for statehood and an initial report is due by mid-October.

Ogwu further told journalists that the experts from all 15 council nations, would conduct the review “in a transparent manner” and at a “rational pace’’. (NAN)