Ecuador, Uruguay join LatAm nations to criticize U.S. decision on Jerusalem

QUITO, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador and Uruguay on Thursday joined the chorus of Latin American countries to criticize a White House decision to recognize the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"The United States declaration undermines the international efforts to seek a negotiated, fair and lasting solution in the region to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Relations said in a statement.

Ecuador also warned of the "negative impacts" the decision may have on reviving flagging peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.

"Ecuador reiterates its call for the international community to support a definitive and just solution in the region founded on the existence of both states, Palestine and Israel, with the pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as the Palestinian capital, as the only path to peace and stability in the Middle East," the ministry said.

In Montevideo, Uruguay's Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement expressing "its concern and disagreement" with the U.S. move.

Uruguay also reiterated its backing of a two-state solution, in keeping with a 1947 United Nations resolution on the issue.

On Wednesday, Cuba and Venezuela condemned the White House announcement, while Mexico made clear it would not be moving its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, as the White House intends.

The UN Security Council will convene an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the development which threatens to inflame a new wave of violence in the region. Enditem