Portugal also recognizes the 'State of Palestine'

Portugal announced Sunday that it will recognize the "State of Palestine," Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel said, after powers such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia took the same symbolic step during the day.

"The recognition of the State of Palestine is therefore the fulfillment of a fundamental, coherent and broadly consensual policy," he told reporters in New York ahead of the U.N. General Assembly, which begins Monday.

"Portugal defends the two-state solution as the only way to a just and lasting peace, which promotes coexistence and peaceful relations between Israel and Palestine," he added.