Abbas says no role for US in Middle East peace process

London [United Kingdom], Dec 13 (ANI): Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said that the Palestinians won't accept any American role in the Middle East peace process "from now on" after United States President Donald Trump's unilateral decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Addressing a summit of the Organisation for Islamic Co-operation (OIC), Abbas stated that while the Palestinians remain committed to peace, Washington can no longer be accepted as a "fair negotiator", the Independent reported.

Turkey hosted the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Wednesday.

The emergency meeting aimed at forging a unified stance from the Muslim world to the U.S.' unprecedented move, reversing decades of U.S. foreign policy.

Trump's announcement was a "crime" that threatens world peace, the Palestinian Authority leader said.

Abbas called on the United Nations to take charge of the Mideast peace process, and revamp it with a new mechanism as, he said, Washington is no longer "fit" for the task, the report said.

He added that new measures are needed to protect the identity of the divided city, which is claimed by both the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites.

However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

Meanwhile, Abbas will not meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence later this month. (ANI)