UN chief warns against unilateral action on Jerusalem status

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is waiting for a formal announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump concerning the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel, and warns of consequences of doing so, said a UN spokesman on Tuesday.

"As a matter of principle, the secretary-general has said he has consistently warned against any unilateral action that would have the potential to undermine the two-state solution," Stephane Dujarric told a press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

He said the UN chief is waiting for a formal statement from Washington. "We've always regarded Jerusalem as a final-status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties (of Israelis and Palestinians) based on relevant Security Council resolutions," said Dujarric.

Trump told Israeli and Arab leaders on Tuesday that he intends to move the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that would potentially trigger unrest in the region.

Palestinians regard East Jerusalem, which was captured by Israel in the 1967 war, as the capital of their future state and the status of Jerusalem as a whole remains an issue to be resolved.

Trump is expected to announce his decision on Wednesday. Enditem