Turkey says recognizing Jerusalem as Israeli capital would cause disaster

ANKARA, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- A possible move by the U.S. to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital would be a "disaster" for the region, Turkish government spokesperson Bekir Bozdag said Monday.

"If the status of Jerusalem is changed and another step is taken, a catastrophe will come up," Bekir Bozdag said during a press conference following cabinet meeting.

Neither Israelis nor Palestinians nor others would benefit from such a move, Bozdag said, "It would completely abolish the fragile peace process in the region, and lead to new conflicts, new disputes and new unrest."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone conversation with his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas over the issue, Bozdag stated but without more detail.

During Abass's visit to Turkey in August, Erdogan showed strong support to Palestine, urging the Israeli government to end its "occupation attempts" of Palestine that threaten the possibility of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Erdogan also vowed that Ankara would continue its efforts for the recognition of Palestine in all international platforms. Enditem