Fifteen Arab and Islamic countries jointly rejected plans by the self-declared Somaliland to open a “so-called embassy” in occupied Jerusalem and considered the move a “flagrant violation” of international law and UN resolutions.
The joint statement, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, was issued by the foreign ministers of Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Djibouti, Somalia, Palestine, Oman, Sudan, Yemen, Lebanon and Mauritania.
The ministers condemned the “illegal and unacceptable” step by Somaliland, which lacks international recognition as a sovereign state.
According to the statement, opening such a mission in occupied Jerusalem would constitute “a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions” and would undermine the legal and historical status of the city.
The countries reaffirmed their opposition to unilateral actions intended to alter realities in occupied Jerusalem or grant legitimacy to arrangements they say contradict international law.
They also reiterated their position that East Jerusalem remains occupied Palestinian territory and that any measures aimed at changing its legal or historical status are “null and void.”
The statement additionally stressed full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia and rejected any unilateral steps viewed as undermining Somali sovereignty.
