Dhaka, Feb. 1 -- Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef SY Ramadan is hopeful that the US will follow the UK's lead in considering the recognition of an independent Palestinian state.

The envoy also hailed the decision of the UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) to stop the massacre in Gaza, describing it as the 'first step' to a free Palestine.

Ramadan made the statements at a talk organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club on Thursday.

The Palestinian ambassador applauded the UK's talk of recognising a Palestinian state, saying that it should have been done earlier. He added that he had heard the US was also preparing to take a similar step.

On Jan 31, UK Foreign Secret...