DOHA, May 24: Sixteen Arab and Islamic countries on Sunday strongly condemned the opening of a purported Somaliland “embassy” in Jerusalem, describing the move as illegal, unacceptable and a violation of international law and United Nations resolutions.
In a joint statement issued from Doha, the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon denounced the step taken by the self-declared Somaliland region to establish what they called a purported diplomatic mission in occupied Jerusalem.
Condemning the mover “in the strongest terms” the illegal and unacceptable step taken by the so-called “Somaliland” region in opening a purported “embassy” in occupied Jerusalem.
The ministers said the move constituted a “flagrant violation of international law and relevant international resolutions” and represented “a direct infringement on the legal and historical status of occupied Jerusalem.”
The joint statement reiterated the countries’ rejection of any unilateral actions aimed at altering the status of Jerusalem or legitimising arrangements that contravene international law and United Nations resolutions.
“The Ministers reaffirm their categorical rejection of any unilateral measures aimed at entrenching an illegal reality in occupied Jerusalem or conferring legitimacy on any entities or arrangements that contravene international law and relevant United Nations resolutions,” the statement said.
The ministers stressed that East Jerusalem remains occupied Palestinian territory under international law and that any attempts to alter its legal or historical status are “null and void and without legal effect.”
They also expressed strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, whose government does not recognise Somaliland’s claim to independence.
“The Ministers further emphasize their full support for the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and their unequivocal rejection of any unilateral measures that undermine the unity of Somali territory or infringe upon its sovereignty,” the statement added.
Somaliland, a self-governing region in northern Somalia, declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received widespread international recognition as a sovereign state.
The development comes amid heightened diplomatic sensitivity over the status of Jerusalem, which Palestinians seek as the capital of a future state, while Israel considers the city its indivisible capital. The international community largely regards East Jerusalem as occupied territory captured by Israel in the 1967 war. (UNI)
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