UK backs negotiations for Jerusalem's status

"The status of Jerusalem should be determined in a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians," British Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday.

May told lawmakers she intends to speak to U.S. President Donald Trump about the issue of Jerusalem's status as reports suggest the American government is to recognize the city as the official capital of the Israeli state.

"We want to see a negotiated settlement between the Israelis and Palestinians; we believe that should based on a two-state solution that should be a sovereign and viable Palestinian state but also a secure and safe Israel," May said at a weekly question session at the House of Commons.

"That should be through negotiations between the parties," she added.

Trump is expected to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Wednesday and begin preparations to move the U.S. Embassy to the city, three senior administration officials confirmed to Anadolu Agency, late on Tuesday.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also reacted to the suggested U.S. move and said he was concerned over Trump's intention to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"We view the reports that we have heard with concern because we think that Jerusalem obviously should be part of the final settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians," he told a group of reporters in Brussels.

Palestinians, Arab and Muslim countries warned that a unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital would unleash public anger and deal a death blow to the peace process.

During his election campaign last year, Trump repeatedly promised to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem remains at the core of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- currently occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.