US recognition of Jerusalem undermines its role as honest broker in peace process: Kh Asif
Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif addressed the Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul.
ISTANBUL (Dunya News) – While addressing the the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif underscored that US recognition of Jerusalem undermines its role as an honest broker in the peace process.
Khawaja Asif said that US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israeli capital is contrary to international legality.
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He asked the participants that if UN Security Council is unable to act, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should call for UN General Assembly emergency session.
OIC MEETING ON JERUSALEM ISSUE
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi arrived in Istanbul to attend the extraordinary summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Al-Quds Al-Sharif on the invitation of President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif and other high officials.
The prime minister and his delegation, upon arrival at Istanbul International Airport, were received by senior officials of Turkish government, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi while senior embassy officials were also present.
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi meets President of Palestine Mr. Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of OIC summit
The extraordinary summit being held today (Wednesday), has been called by the President of Turkey in his capacity as the Chair of OIC. Heads of state and government of about 26 Islamic countries were expected to attend the extraordinary summit and would also explore ways to deal with the situation.
PM TO CONVEY HIS SENTIMENTS
Prime Minister Abbasi will convey the sentiments of the people and the Government of Pakistan of the unequivocal support to the people of Palestine.
He will stress upon the OIC for a united stance on the issue of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and call upon the US administration to review its decision.
The people and Government of Pakistan have noted with grave concern the reported move by the United States to shift its embassy to the occupied City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, thereby altering the legal and historical status of the city.
Such a step would constitute a clear violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions particularly UNSCR 478 of 1980. It would also sidestep decades of global consensus on this issue, undermine regional peace and security as well as derail any prospects for a lasting peace in the Middle East.
The people and Government of Pakistan are unequivocally opposed to the reported plan of shifting the US Embassy to Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Pakistan fully endorses the recently adopted Final Communique of the OIC on this issue.
Pakistan has called upon the United States to refrain from any move that altered the legal and historical status as well as character of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, fully comply with all applicable UN Security Council resolutions including UNSCR 478.
