(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) NEW YORK, Dec 8 (KUNA) -- UN special envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov said Friday Jerusalem was sacred for the three heavenly religions - Islam, Christianity and Judaism - and its status should be decided via direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

Mladenov, addressing an urgent UN Security Council on Jerusalem, called for reversing all decisions and provocative statement over Jerusalem.

The UN has always emphasized that changing the status of Jerusalem would jeopardize the peace process, he said.

Any unilateral decision will abort the peace process, he warned.

The UNSC session was called following US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and preparing to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied city.

Mladenov called for self-restraint and avoid any provocative actions that would further fuel the tension.

Trump's decision resulted in an uproar around the Arab and Muslim countries.

Protests were reported in Arab and Muslim countries in protest against Trump's move.

Egyptian permanent representative to the UN Amro Abdulata expressed deep concern over ramifications of Trump's decision, which touched upon the spiritual, cultural and historic nature of the holy city.

Trump's decision will have "very negative impacts" on the peace process, which considered Jerusalem one of the final status issues decided through negotiations. (pickup previous) asf.bs

MENAFN0812201700710000ID1096209220