Britain to Upgrade Palestinian Diplomatic Status

Britain will upgrade the status of the Palestinian delegation to London to the level of a mission in line with a number of other EU countries, Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Monday.

"Given the extent of our aid to the Palestinian Authority and our work with them, we will join many other countries in upgrading the status of the Palestinian delegation to London to the level of a mission," he told parliament.

The decision puts Britain in line with fellow European Union members France, Ireland, Portugal and Spain.

Norway, which is not a member of the EU, has also upgraded, in a move which gives the head of the Palestinian diplomatic delegation the rank of ambassador.

Hague is due to hold talks Tuesday in London with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, who is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister David Cameron.