Pakistani President condemns U.S. move on Jerusalem

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Pakistan's President Mamnoon Hussain on Thursday called U.S President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel 'unacceptable to the Muslim world', state-run media reported.

In a speech telecast on Pakistan Television, Hussain said the decision was a serious violation of international law and UN Security Council regulations.

The move will serve a serious blow to the Middle East peace process, he added, during his address at an event at the Presidency in capital Islamabad.

Trump announced his decision on Wednesday despite widespread international opposition to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Ahead of his election last year, Trump repeatedly promised to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Turkey will host an extraordinary meeting of the OIC on Dec. 13 to discuss the U.S. move.