Doha/ Information Office/ 26 December 2017

The State of Qatar denounced the announcement by President of Guatemala of his country's intention to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday that Guatemala's decision is null, devoid of legal effect and a deviation from the international consensus which was reflected in the UN General Assembly's rejection by a two-thirds majority to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The Ministry expressed hope that Guatemala would review its decision and support the Palestinian right.

The statement reaffirmed Qatar's firm and long-standing stance in supporting the Palestinian cause and the steadfastness of the brotherly Palestinian people based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and the two-state solution, ensuring the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.