ISTANBUL: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif attended the meeting on Wednesday morning at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit as leaders of the Muslim world rally against US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The participating countries’ foreign ministers met at the emergency summit to condemn US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and expressed their solidarity with Palestine.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had arrived in Turkey to attend the summit on the invitation of the president of Turkey.
“FM Asif underscored at OIC CFM that US recognition of Jerusalem undermines its role as an honest broker in the peace process,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted.
FM Asif underscored at OiC CFM that US recognition of Jerusalem undermines its role as an honest broker in the peace process.
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) December 13, 2017
“FM Asif said at OIC CFM that US decision to recognize Jerusalem contrary to international legality.”
FM Asif said at OIC CFM that US decision to recognize Jerusalem contrary to international legality
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) December 13, 2017
“FM Asif asked CFM Istanbul If UN Security unable to act, OIC should call for UN General Assembly emergency session.”
FM Asif asked CFM Istanbul If UN Security unable to act, OIC should call for UN General Assembly emergency session
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) December 13, 2017
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump recognised the disputed city as Israel’s capital — a historic decision that overturns decades of American policy and risks triggering a fresh wave of violence in the Middle East.
Pakistan had strongly condemned US President Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, voicing its concern “over the implications of this decision for international peace and security, especially in the Middle East”, according to a Foreign Office statement.
A statement from the Prime Minister Office had stated that it is “deeply regrettable that pleas from states across the globe not to alter the legal and historical status of Al-Quds Al-Sharif have been ignored, more out of choice than necessity.” Pakistan had also welcomed the announcement by Turkey to convene an extraordinary Islamic Summit to discuss this serious issue.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said on Tuesday the OIC will send a “strong message” against the United States decision on Jerusalem.
Speaking to a private broadcaster in a live interview, Cavusoglu said an Islamic summit in Istanbul would focus on US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
