US Denies Palestinian President Visa to UN General Assembly

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his 'deepest regret' over the US decision to deny Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas a visa for the second consecutive year. The move blocks Abbas' attendance at next week's UN General Assembly. The State Department cited a lack of reforms by the Palestinian Authority as the reason for denying visas to the Palestinian delegation, including Abbas. Only members of the Palestinian mission to the UN will be allowed to participate in this year's annual session. The UN is concerned about the implications of this decision for the State of Palestine's ability to participate fully in the work of the United Nations.