By Mohammed Aboud

RIYADH

The Arab Parliament on Wednesday called for the recognition of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In letters to speakers of several European parliaments, Arab Parliament Speaker Mishal al-Salami voiced hope to see these assemblies recognize Palestine and East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the official Saudi SPA news agency.

The letters were sent to the parliaments of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Portugal, France, Italy, Spain, Luxemburg, Belgium and Greece.

"Any decisions or measures aimed to change the identity, status or demography of Jerusalem will have no legal impact,” al-Salami said.

On Dec. 6, U.S. President Donald Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, triggering world outcry and protests across the Palestinian territories.

Jerusalem remains at the heart of the perennial Middle East conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- occupied by Israel since 1967 -- might eventually serve as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.