Saudi FM: US Embassy move to Jerusalem is against international laws

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubair said on Thursday during the Arab League emergency meeting in Cairo that "moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem is against international laws.”

Al-Jubair added during the emergency meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the US Embassy move and Gaza that "we reject the move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem and considere it a bias against Palestinian interests” noting the "wide international stances rejecting the American decision” stressing that "changing the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect.”

The Saudi FM stressed that "the Palestinian cause is a top priority for the Kingdom.”

Al-Jubair added that "King Salman bin Abdul Aziz has stressed that the Kingdom will not hesitate to support the Palestinians to restore their legitimate rights.”

For his part, the Arab League General Secretary Ahmed Abu al-Gheit demanded "a credible international investigation into the crimes of the occupation” stressing that "the decision of moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem is rejected at all stages.”

Abu al-Gheit said this "irresponsible decision will take the region to a state of tension."

On the other hand, Abu al-Gheit stressed that the Arab League "condemns and deplores the actions taken by the Republic of Guatemala yesterday to move its embassy to Jerusalem and affirms that the Arab relations with it and with other countries that may take similar step should be subject to scrutiny and review."

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash called for an international investigation into the Gaza massacre, adding "we will call for urgent international intervention to protect the Palestinians."

For his part, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Malki thanked Saudi Arabia for its invitation to this emergency meeting.

He suggested that the Arab countries should recall their ambassadors in Washington in response to the United States' transfer of its embassy to Jerusalem, saying: "There is no harm in recalling the ambassadors of the Arab countries in Washington to their capitals for consultation."

For his part, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri said "the transfer of any embassy to occupied Jerusalem will remain an invalid decision."

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said that "there is no peace and no security in the region without the rights of the Palestinian people."