Morocco condemns Trump's Jerusalem plan

Rabat, Dec 6 (IANS/MAP) Morocco has expressed its deep concern and strongly condemned the intended move of US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and transfer its embassy to the disputed holy city, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

King Mohammed VI, the chairman of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Al Quds Committee, slammed the decision and expressed the kingdom's "strong and unwavering support for the brotherly Palestinian people in defending their just cause and legitimate rights, mainly concerning the status of Jerusalem".

The Kingdom underlined that such a decision was "contrary to resolutions of international law as well as to the agreements and understandings between the Palestinian and Israeli sides", the statement said.

"This decision may have a negative effect on the intensive efforts that the US administration has been making to revive the political process and may destroy all remaining prospects of peace in the region."

"Israel may take this step as an excuse to carry on the judaization of the holy city and to change its religious and spiritual aspects. This step, given its exceptional gravity, could undermine the security and the stability of an already tense region and fuel anger, frustration, hostility, violence and extremism," the statement added.

Morocco stressed on the need to preserve the historical, legal and political status of Jerusalem. It called on the UN, particularly the permanent members of the Security Council, to shoulder their responsibilities in order to avoid anything that might affect this status and hinder international efforts to settle the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

--IANS/MAP

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