More EU states will follow Swede recognition act

Palestinian Authority Head Mahmoud Abbas has thanked Sweden for deciding to recognize the State of Palestine, adding more Europeran countries will follow the suit.

Abbas made the remarks in an Eid al-Adha ceremony in Ramallah on Saturday.

Also PA negotiator Saeb Erakat said Friday Sweden's decision to recognize a Palestinian state is courageous, calling on other EU states to follow suit.

"We salute the announcement by the Swedish prime minister," said Saeb Erakat.

"We hope that all countries of the European Union will take the same courageous and remarkable decision ... as there is no reason not to recognize the Palestinian state."

Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Abbas, said "the time has come for the entire world to recognise the Palestinian state."

And foreign minister Riyad al-Malki welcomed what he called Sweden's "historic" commitment to freedom, dignity and human rights.