Palestinians Celebrate Successful Upgrade Of Their UN Status

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas inspects the honor guard during a celebration in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 2, 2012. <Xinhua/Nasser Shiyoukhi>

Palestinians fly balloons bearing the colors of their national flag as they celebrate their successful bid to win upgraded U.N. status, in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Dec. 2, 2012. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday said that achieving national reconciliation will be the first step he will take. <Xinhua/Ayman Nobani>