Saudi king assures U.S. president embassy move to Jerusalem is "dangerous step"

RIYADH, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud assured U.S. President Donald Trump Tuesday that an embassy relocation to Jerusalem is a dangerous step that would negatively affect and offend Muslims around the world.

The king said so in a phone call from President Trump, in which they discussed Jerusalem developments, Al Arabiya local news reported.

The king assured Trump that any declaration on Jerusalem before a settlement of the issue would harm the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations.

During the conversation, King Salman affirmed Saudi Arabia's continued support for the historic rights of the Palestinian people.

Trump's announcement of intention to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem has triggered outrage among Arab nations.

"Any American announcement on the status of Jerusalem before a final settlement is reached will harm the peace process and increase tension in the region," Saudi Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, said in a statement on Monday.

"The kingdom's policy has been and continues to be supportive of the Palestinian people, and this has been transferred to the U.S. administration," said the prince. Enditem