NICOSIA, Cyprus (Ma'an) -- Cyprus is upgrading Palestine's mission in Nicosia to the status of embassy, official PA media said Saturday.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis announced the upgrade on Friday at a press conference with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Malki, Wafa news agency reported.

President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the Cypriot decision from Cairo, the news agency said.