Arab states, Arab League, GCC condemn Israel's recognition of Somaliland, interference in Somalia

The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Friday rejected Israel's recognition of Somaliland - a breakaway region of Somalia that is recognised by no other state.

The two regional bodies slammed the move as a violation of international law and Somalia's sovereignty.

"Any attempt to impose unilateral recognitions constitutes an unacceptable interference in Somalia’s internal affairs and sets a dangerous precedent that threatens regional and international security and stability," Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit said in a statement.

Somalia is a member of the Arab League, having joined the 22-member bloc in 1974.

For its part, the GCC called the move a "blatant infringement" of Somalia's sovereignty, and a "grave violation" of international law.

"This recognition represents a dangerous precedent that will undermine the foundations of stability in the Horn of Africa region and open the door to further tensions and conflicts, contradicting regional and international efforts aimed at strengthening international peace and security in the region," GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi said.

Individual Arab states also issued their own condemnations, with Qatar on Saturday issuing a statement on its "unequivocal rejection of the announcement of mutual recognition between the Israeli occupation authorities and the Somaliland region".

Doha slammed the move as a "dangerous precedent and a unilateral action that contravenes the principles of international law, undermining the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the sisterly Federal Republic of Somalia".

Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "total rejection" of the agreement between Tel Aviv and Hargeisa, while reiterating its backing of Somalia.

Earlier in the day, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with his Nigerian counterpart, Yusuf Tuggar, with the pair issuing a joint rejection of Israel's recognition of the "so-called Somaliland".

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its "full support for the sovereignty of the sisterly Federal Republic of Somalia and the unity and territorial integrity of its land", and rejected the "unilateral separatist" move by Israel.

The UAE, which has ties with Somaliland's breakaway administration, has not issued a statement.

Somaliland, which was formerly under British colonial rule as British Somaliland, unilaterally declared independence from Somalia in 1991, though it has struggled to gain formal international recognition.

Somalia's government, based in Mogadishu, considers Somaliland a part of its territory, despite the secessionists having de facto control of its governance.