UNITED NATIONS - The UN General Assembly on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to grant an upgrade of the Palestinians status at the United Nations from "entity" to "non-member state," which would amount to the world body's implicit and symbolic recognition of the Palestinian statehood.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas addresses the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters, in New York, Nov 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The 193 UN member states voted 138-9, with 41 abstentions, to support a draft resolution co-sponsored by about 70 countries, including China, Algeria, Angola, Brazil, Cuba, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Senegal, South Africa, Tajikistan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Ten countries were added to the list of co-sponsors of the draft resolution.

Canada, Israel and the United States voted against the draft resolution.

After Vuk Jeremic, the president of the 67th session of the General Assembly, announced the result of the vote, the applause came from the hall of the General Assembly. Many ambassadors and diplomats came to shake hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to express their congratulations.