Malta is set to formally announce its recognition of the state of Palestine tonight.“I’m proud that my country will form part of another pro-peace effort,” Prime Minister Robert Abela said. “We will recognise the State of Palestine tonight because we believe in lasting solutions, no matter how difficult they may be.”Abela will deliver a speech recognising Palestinian statehood from New York, where he is attending the UN General Assembly.The Maltese government has stressed that its recognition of Palestine as a state should not be interpreted as some kind of legitimisation of Hamas.Indeed, in a statement yesterday, the government reiterated its condemnation of the 7th October attacks, called for an unconditional release of the remaining hostages, and said Hamas should have no role in the state of Palestine.Several countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Canada and Portugal, have all recently recognised Palestine as a state, while Spain, Ireland and Norway took that decision last year.•