UAE condemns U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as capital of Israel

DUBAI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday expressed its condemnation of U.S. decision of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

Such unilateral decisions are contrary to the internationally legitimate resolutions and show a bias against the historical and permanent rights of the Palestinian people in Jerusalem, the report quoted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as saying.

The ministry also expressed its "deep concern" about the repercussions of this decision on the stability of the region, noting that it inflamed the feelings of Arabs and Muslims who have great esteem for Jerusalem.

The ministry stressed the need "to abide by all UN resolutions related to the city of Jerusalem, including Security Council resolutions and the principles of international law."

The UAE does not recognize the state of Israel. However, Israel is one of the 180 member states of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi.

Trump announced Wednesday his official recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and instructed moving the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a move that triggered wide criticism and concerns around the world.

Trump said in a televised speech that his decision is based on The Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, a public law of the United States passed by the 104th Congress on October 23, 1995. Enditem