UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Monday held an emergency meeting on Israel's recognition of Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as a sovereign state.

The Israeli move drew opposition from an overwhelming majority of Security Council members, while the United States was the only member to back it.

The three African members of the Security Council -- Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia -- and Guyana (A3+), as well as Pakistan, condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland.

In a joint statement, the A3+ said Somaliland is legally incapable of entering into any agreement or arrangement on recognition with another country, stressing that any such purported arrangements are null and void.

Israel's recognition of Somaliland constitutes a direct violation of the UN Charter, the African Union's fundamental principles, and a breach of the cornerstone of international law: respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, it said.

A3+ rejected Israel's announcement and called for it to be rescinded, urging all UN member states to take a unified and principled stand against this illegal action that undermines the very foundation of the international legal order, said the statement.

The group also unequivocally rejected any steps aimed at advancing the forced, involuntary relocation of Palestinians to other countries, including any attempt to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza to Somaliland, said the statement. "This action is not only unlawful, but is morally reprehensible."

Neither the future of the Palestinian people nor the territorial sovereignty of Somalia can be used as a bargaining chip. This utter disdain for law and morality must be stopped now, it said.

A3+ reiterated its unwavering commitment to Somalia's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. No external actor has the legitimacy or authority to alter the unity, sovereignty, or territorial configuration of Somalia or any other sovereign state, said the statement.

It added that Israel's actions not only set a dangerous precedent but also pose a serious threat to regional and international peace and security, urging the international community to uphold its responsibility under the UN Charter and to reject any act that undermines the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia or the rights of the Palestinian people through manipulative and immoral actions.

Pakistan also condemned Israel's recognition of Somaliland.

"We strongly condemn the unilateral and unlawful recognition by Israel of the Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia. It is a direct assault on Somalia's internationally recognized borders and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law," said Usman Jadoon, Pakistan's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.

The Somaliland region remains an integral, inseparable and inalienable part of Somalia, he said, noting that no external actor has either the legal standing or the moral authority to alter that fundamental reality.

Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said China is gravely concerned about and firmly opposes Israel's recognition of Somaliland.

Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter and an unshakable cornerstone of international law and international relations, which all UN member states must strictly abide by, said Sun.

"Somaliland is an integral part of Somali territory. China firmly supports Somalia's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and opposes any act to split its territory. China has always maintained that the Somaliland issue is entirely Somalia's internal affairs," he said.

"Countries outside the region should cease unwarranted interference. No country should aid and abet separatist forces in other countries to further their own geopolitical interests."

China urges Israel to act responsibly, strictly observe the UN Charter and international law, heed the calls of the international community, immediately rectify its erroneous act, and eliminate its negative effects as soon as possible, said Sun.

Almost all members of the Security Council stressed the importance of upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Tammy Bruce, U.S. deputy representative to the United Nations, said Israel has the same right as any other sovereign state to conduct its diplomatic relations.

"On the matter of Somaliland, we have no announcement to make regarding U.S. recognition of Somaliland. And there has been no change in American policy," said Bruce. ■