(Reuters) -Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York to attend meetings of the UN General Assembly, the first participation of a Syrian president since 1967, the state news agency reported early on Monday.

Sharaa – a former al Qaeda leader who once had a $10 million bounty on his head – scored a major diplomatic victory in May when he won recognition from U.S. President Donald Trump at a meeting in Riyadh.

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel announced on Sunday that the country has now recognised the state of Palestine.

"The recognition of the state of Palestine is the realization of a fundamental, constant, and fundamental line of Portuguese foreign policy," Rangel told reporters at the headquarters of Portugal's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York.

As Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Britain's landmark decision to recognise the State of Palestine on Sunday, the small team in the Palestinian mission to the UK erupted in cheers of joy.

"This is a historic moment," beamed Palestinian envoy to the UK Husam Zomlot, watching the televised announcement at the mission in west London.

(Reuters) -Britain, Canada and Australia recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a coordinated move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution, angering Israel.

Other countries, including France, are expected to follow suit in the coming days. There was no immediate response from Israel's closest ally, the United States, which has said it has no plans at this juncture to recognise a Palestinian state.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to meet with officials from Britain, France and Germany, the so-called E3, in Vienna, Iran's state-run Nournews agency reported on Sunday, as international sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear programme are set to be reimposed at the end of this month.

"In this trip, mutual negotiations are scheduled as well as reviewing issues related to Iranian-European relations," the agency said, without giving the date of the talks.

By Catarina Demony and Bhargav Acharya

LONDON/TORONTO (Reuters) -Britain, Canada and Australia all recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday in a move borne out of frustration over the Gaza war and intended to promote a two-state solution but which is also bound to anger Israel and its main ally, the United States.

The three nations' decision aligned them with about 140 other countries which also back Palestinians' aspiration to forge an independent homeland from the Israeli-occupied territories.

By Alexander Cornwell

RAMALLAH (Reuters) -Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin said countries recognising a Palestinian state this week were taking an irreversible step that preserved the two-state solution and brought Palestinian independence and sovereignty closer.

Britain, Canada and Australia formally recognised a Palestinian state on Sunday, joining other nations in a move aimed at reviving momentum for a two-state solution but which has been criticised by Israel and the United States.

(Reuters) -Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Sunday that his country now recognises the state of Palestine.

"Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel," Carney said in a statement.

Canada joins more than 140 other members of the United Nations that have recognised a Palestinian state, in a break with long-standing policy despite strong opposition from Israel.

(Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday there has been progress on a security deal with Syria but an agreement was not imminent.

Speaking at the outset of a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said victory against Hezbollah in Lebanon had opened up the possibility of peace with Israel's northern neighbours.

By Ece Toksabay

ANKARA (Reuters) -Turkey's main opposition re-elected Ozgur Ozel as leader on Sunday at an extraordinary congress called in a bid to shield him and other party chiefs from a court ruling next month that could order their ouster.

An Ankara court is set to rule over whether to annul the 2023 congress of the Republican People's Party (CHP) where Ozel was elected chairman over alleged irregularities, a case government critics say highlights Turkey's slide towards autocracy under President Tayyip Erdogan.