Flag of Palestine has been raised for the first time at the headquarters of UNESCO, the UN cultural agency in Paris.

Flag of Palestine has been raised for the first time at the headquarters of UNESCO, the UN cultural agency in Paris.

Cheers rose alongside the red, black, white and green flag Tuesday during a ceremony held in the rain. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attended the event. He will later meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The UN cultural organization noted that the ceremony takes place each time a new member joins.

"It is moving to see our flag raised and for it to be flying in this beautiful city of Paris among all the other states. This bodes well for Palestine becoming a member of other international institutions," Abbas said.

Palestine was admitted as a UNESCO member after an October vote that prompted the US to cut off funds to the agency.

The United States, Canada, Germany and Holland voted against Palestinian membership. Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and France voted in favor. Britain and Italy abstained.

The Palestinians are also seeking full-fledged UN membership, but Washington has threatened to veto the move, saying a negotiated settlement with the occupying entity should come first.