New York, The Arab Group at the United National underlined firm support for the State of Palestines request for full UN membership, saying it is a long-awaited step that should have been taken since 1948. In a statement, the Arab Group affirmed continued efforts to work constructively with the Security Council to achieve its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security, especially its responsibilities towards the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people. "We call on all members of the Security Council to vote in favor of the draft resolution submitted by Algeria on behalf of the Arab Group and with the support of countries from all regions of the world. At the very least, we implore Council members not to obstruct this critical initiative," the Arab Group said. Membership in the United Nations is a decisive step in the right direction towards achieving a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, in line with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. It i s time for the Palestinian people to be fully empowered to fully exercise their legitimate rights at the global level. It is an important step towards strengthening the rights of the Palestinian people and achieving international consensus on the two-state solution along the lines of June 4, 1967, the Arab Group stressed. It is time to realize the Palestinians' inalienable rights to self-determination, sovereignty and statehood, it added. The Arab Group urged the Security Council to respond to the call of the international community and approve Palestines membership application without further delay, otherwise it would be a blatant abdication by the Council of its responsibility to support the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. Diplomatic sources said that the UN Security Council would hold a session Thursday to vote on a draft resolution recommending the State of Palestine become a full member of the United Nations. Source: Qatar News Agency