Jeddah, June 16 (SANA)TheOrganization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)on Tuesday condemned the opening of what it described as a Somaliland embassy inoccupied Jerusalem, saying the measure is illegal and constitutes a violation of theUnited NationsCharter and relevant international resolutions governing the statue of the city.

In a statement published on its official website, the OIC General Secretariat said the move represents an attempt to alter the legal and political status of occupied Jerusalem and therefore has no legal validity under international law and relevant UN resolutions, which prohibit any actions aimed at altering the city’s legal or political status.

The organization stressed that the Israeli occupation authorities possess no sovereignty over occupied Jerusalem, adding that all decisions and measures aimed at changing the city’s political, legal or demographic character are null and void and carry no legal effect under international law.

The OIC renewed its full solidarity with the Federal Republic of Somalia and reiterated its support for the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. It called on the international community to take a firm position against the step and oppose this unlawful action.

Israeli occupation authorities announced on Monday the opening of a Somaliland embassy in occupied Jerusalem. The move followed a declaration of mutual recognition announced on Dec. 26, making Israel the only country to formally recognize Somaliland since the region’s unilateral declaration of independence in 1991.

The development has drawn Arab and international criticism, with renewed calls for preserving Somalia’s unity and sovereignty in line with international law and relevant regional and international resolutions.

Somalia has repeatedly reaffirmed its commitment to the unity and sovereignty of its territory and rejected unilateral measures affecting the legal and political status of the Somali state.