Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called on Arab nations to support the Palestinians' bid to become a United Nations member, saying its recognition is an obligation.

Erdogan made the call before a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Cairo office of the Arab League.

"Recognizing the Palestinian state is not an option, it is an obligation," Hurriyet Daily News quoted Erdoğan as saying.

"We must work hand in hand with our Palestinian brothers. The Palestinian cause is the cause of human dignity," he also said, according to BBC. "It's time to raise the Palestinian flag at the United Nations."

Erdogan's remarks were broadcast live on Egyptian TV.

The Palestinians are submitting a formal request for membership with the UN on Sept. 20, when the body's General Assembly meets. Israel and the U.S. are opposing the bid, which could make Palestine the 194th UN member.

Meanwhile, Erdogan was interviewed in a popular Egyptian talk show, where he defended Turkey's political system modeled on secularism.

Egyptians consider secularism as anti-Islamic, but Erdogan told "10 o'clock" that the model does not remove religion from the state.

"It means respect to all religions... If this is implemented, the entire society will live in safety," The Associated Press quoted the Turkish leader as saying. "Turkish secularism respects atheists because in the end Turkey is a state that believes in the rule of law," he said.