RAMALLAH, September 25, 2011 (WAFA) – Thousands of Palestinians welcomed Sunday President Mahmoud Abbas home as he arrived in his headquarter in the city of Ramallah, in the West Bank, after submitting the Palestinian application for full United Nations (UN) membership of a Palestinian state to the UN Secretary General , Ban Ki-moon.

Palestinians gathered from across the West Bank in the presidential headquarter to welcome Abbas with open arms, especially after his speech to the UN General Assembly on Friday that was met with great anticipation and approval among the Palestinian public.

In a related matter, Israeli army set up checkpoints and prevented dozens of buses and cars carrying Palestinians from reaching Ramallah from all over the West Bank, who intended to participate in the popular reception of Abbas, according to security sources.

R.Q./F.R.