Pakistan opposes Trump's decision on Jerusalem

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said his country has joined the international community in its strong opposition against the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel and the plan to relocate its embassy there.

The prime minister's statement came late Wednesday shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the decisions that caused strong reactions across the world.

"It is deeply regrettable that pleas from States across the globe not to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem) have been ignored, more out of choice than necessity," the statement said.

The prime minister said the U.S. decision represents a serious violation of international law and applicable United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions about the status of Jerusalem.

"It is a serious setback to the rule of law and international norms. It signals a severe blow to the Middle East peace process as well," he said.

Abbasi called upon the UN Security Council to take cognizance of this situation and take steps in accordance with the UN Charter.

He urged the United Sates to revisit its decision as soon as possible in order to avoid the potentially grave repercussions in the region and beyond. Enditem