Palestinian Flag Raised Over UNESCO Headquarters

The Palestinian flag has been raised for the first time above the UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

President Mahmud Abbas attended the ceremony, just weeks after Palestine won admission to UNESCO, the first UN agency to admit Palestine as a full member.

Palestine was admitted after a vote in October 31 in a move that prompted the U.S. to cut off funds to the agency.

The Palestinians also are seeking full-fledged UN membership, but Washington has threatened to veto the move, saying a negotiated settlement with Israel should come first.

compiled from agency reports