World reacts to US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital

Berlin (dpa) - World leaders reacted with concern and anger to US President Donald Trump‘s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel‘s capital. Israel itself was the only country celebrating the announcement that its American ally would be moving its embassy from Tel Aviv. Here is a selection of international reaction:"These reprehensible measures constitute a deliberate undermining of all peace efforts and represent a declaration that the United States has withdrawn from playing the role it has played in the past decades in sponsoring the peace process."- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas."The president‘s decision is an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn‘t include Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel. I share President Trump‘s commitment to advancing peace between Israel and all of our neighbours, including the Palestinians."- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hopes that the US administration will reverse this action, and support the international will to enable the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights."- Saudi government spokesman."The government does not support this stance because the status of Jerusalem is to be negotiated within the framework of a two-state solution."- German Chancellor Angela Merkel."The aspirations of both parties must be fulfilled and a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states."- European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini."We disagree with the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem and recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital before a final status agreement. We believe it is unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region."- British Prime Minister Theresa May."Such unilateral decisions violate international legitimacy resolutions and will not change the legal status of the city of Jerusalem as being under occupation."- Egyptian Foreign Ministry "Indonesia calls on the United States to consider withdrawing the decision. Such unilateral recognition violates various resolutions of the UN Security Council of which the United States is a permanent member. It could also shake global stability."- Indonesian President Joko Widodo.    "[It is] dangerous and threatening the credibility of the United States as a sponsor of the peace process in the region."- Lebanese President Michel Aoun."The future of Jerusalem is not determined by a state or a president, but by its history and the will and determination of the loyal people to the Palestinian cause"- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad."All unilateral measures aimed at imposing new facts on the ground are null and void."- Jordan‘s State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad al-Momani."Canada‘s longstanding position is that the status of Jerusalem can be resolved only as part of a general settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute."- Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland."We appeal to the sense of responsibility of all actors in Palestine and in the region so that incidents and violence from which no one benefits can be avoided."- Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano.