Libya condemns Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital

TRIPOLI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Libya's Higher Council of State on Thursday called on Libyans and all Muslims around the world to "demonstrate peacefully" against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to relocate the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"We demand the international community, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Arab League take a clear position and act to prevent the implementation of this decision, in order to maintain balance and stability in the region," the council said in a statement.

This step "will undermine the possibility of any settlement for peace and stability in the region," the statement added.

In a speech from the White House on Wednesday, Trump announced the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered to start immediately the process of relocating the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"We express our deep concern and regret at U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the transfer of the U.S. embassy to the city," said Mohammed al-Dairi, foreign minister of Libya's eastern-based interim government.

"The American decision is a provocation to our feelings as Arabs, both Muslims and Christians included, and it is essentially a violation of the resolutions of international legitimacy and the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people," Dairi noted.

"The decision would also complicate the prospects of a two-state solution, which is based on international agreements, including Arab and Islamic states. We look forward to the U.S. president's reconsideration," he added.

The Libyan eastern-based House of Representatives (parliament) on Thursday condemned Trump's decision, calling it a "violation to all international conventions and efforts to resolve the Palestinian issue."

The parliament demanded the United Nations and the international community "reject this decision, in respect of the UN charters and international laws and norms."

Jerusalem, which is home to holy sites sacred to Jews, Muslims and Christians, lies at the core of the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Trump's controversial move is expected to enrage the Muslim world. Enditem