Palestine: 'Jerusalem is the red-line for Palestinians'

Riyad Mansour, who is Palestine's UN ambassador, began his remarks by thanking in Arabic, the Palestinians who demonstrated and "resisted" America's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In Arabic, Mansour said: "From this podium, I would like to commend our Palestinian people who defended Jerusalem today in its neighbourhoods and places of worships. I want to commend the people on the gates, in the camps, all over the world.

He added: "Our rights and resolutions. I thank those who call for the US administration to stop it's illegal and provocative decision which has no meaning except pleasing the occupying power of Israel."

Mansour criticised Israel's "bullying of world leaders" and condemned Tel-Aviv's attempts to "destroy the two-state solution" by changing Jerusalem's "demography and geography."

"We are grateful for the strong principled expressed by states and organisations worldwide...Mr President the Israel-Palestinian conflict continues to pose a threat to international peace and security is no question.

Jerusalem's significance to the Palestinians and to the Muslim people is no question...Jerusalem is the red-line for Palestinians and there can be no just solution if there is no just solution to Jerusalem.

Israel has never been recognised as a sovereign over Jerusalem. Its status remains unresolved and continues to be a final status discussion."