New member Palestine to raise flag at UNESCO

PARIS - The Associated Press

In this Sept. 23, 2011 file photo, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas holds a letter requesting recognition of Palestine as a state as he addresses the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York. AP Photo

A Palestinian flag is to be raised at the headquarters of the U.N. cultural agency in Paris, a symbolic boost to the Palestinians' push for an independent state.

Palestine is being admitted as a UNESCO member after an October vote that prompted the U.S. to cut off funds to the agency.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be present for the flag-raising Tuesday. He later meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The Palestinians also are seeking full-fledged U.N. membership, but the United States has threatened to veto that move, saying a negotiated settlement with Israel should come first.