The Arab League has welcomed the United Nations overwhelming vote to extend the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for another three years.

In a statement from Cairo, Arab League Deputy Secretary-General for Palestine and Occupied Territories Affairs commended the UN vote which he said is an indication of a strong political support for UNRWA pending a just and lasting solution for the Palestinian refugee plight, in accordance with UN Resolution 194.

Abu Ali said the vote by 169 in favor, nine abstentions and two against (the US and Israel) is a proof of the international community’s pro-Palestine standpoint and support for the historical and national rights of the Palestinian people and their just cause.

On Friday, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed the final vote to renew the mandate of the UN Palestine refugee agency for another three years, amid an ongoing probe into alleged mismanagement issues and strong opposition by the US and Israel.

UNRWA was established 70 years ago and provides essential services to Palestine refugees based on a mandate given to it by the General Assembly which is renewed every three years. UNRWA is experiencing the worst financial deficit in its 70 year history and is seeking to overcome a financial gap of nearly US$ 89 million before the end of the year.

UNRWA provides a humanitarian lifeline to some 5.4 million registered Palestine refugees across its five fields of operation. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.