(Eds: Updating with more inputs)United Nations, Dec 7 (PTI) The United Nations SecurityCouncil has convened an emergency meeting tomorrow after USPresident Donald Trump in a controversial move recognisedJerusalem as Israel's capital.
Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversingdecades of US and international policy on the holy city. Healso directed the State Department to immediately begin theprocess of construction of a US Embassy in Jerusalem.
At least eight of the 15 members of the Security Council,including Britain and France -– the two permanent memberswhich closely align themselves on most of the global issues –-joined by other non-permanent members -- Bolivia, Egypt,Italy, Senegal, Sweden, Britain and Uruguay -- asked for aspecial meeting of the top decision-making wing of the NewYork-headquartered world body.
The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' is expected toaddress the Security Council tomorrow.
Earlier in a statement, Guterres said that Jerusalem wasthe final status issue and must be resolved through directnegotiations.
"In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make itclear: there is no alternative to the two-state solution.
There is no Plan B," he said, adding that he has consistentlyspoken out against any unilateral measures that would"jeopardise" the prospect of peace for Israelis andPalestinians.
"Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolvedthrough direct negotiations between the two parties on thebasis of the relevant Security Council and General Assemblyresolutions, taking into account the legitimate concerns ofboth the Palestinian and the Israeli sides," Guterres said.
Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel'scapitalon has outraged several countries.
Many of American allies and partners have criticisedTrump for the controversial decision.
British Prime Minister Theresa May in a statement saidshe disagreed with the US announcement to move its embassy toJerusalem and recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capitalbefore a final status agreement.
"We believe it is unhelpful in terms of prospects forpeace in the region. The British Embassy to Israel is based inTel Aviv and we have no plans to move it," she said.
May stressed that the status of Jerusalem should be"determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelisthe Palestinians".
"Our position on the status of Jerusalem is clear andlong-standing: it should be determined in a negotiatedsettlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians," shesaid, adding that "Jerusalem should ultimately be the sharedcapital of the Israeli and Palestinian states".
"In line with relevant Security Council Resolutions, weregard East Jerusalem as part of the Occupied PalestinianTerritories," May said. PTI LKJ AQS AMS AKJAMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.