Malaysia on Saturday expressed regret over a new US law recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar described the US action as provocative and unwise, adding that it failed to consider the sensitivities of the Palestinian people and Muslims worldwide.

"With the Palestine-Israel conflict still unresolved, it (the US) has brought up another (issue), giving the impression that it doesn't care about the views of the Palestinians and the Muslims," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

Malaysia, a member of the Organisation of Islamic Conference, is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause for a independent homeland and does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

Motion in parliament

Syed Hamid said a motion to protest the US move by Malaysia would be tabled in parliament Monday.

Muslims worldwide must unite and oppose the US decision, he said.

The new US law has triggered outrage across the Arab and Muslim worlds, despite President George W. Bush's firm pledge to ignore its provisions even though he had signed it since it was included as part of a funding package.

Along with many other countries, the United States maintains its embassy in Israel in Tel Aviv to reflect the contested nature of Arab east Jerusalem, which the Jewish state captured in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed. — AFP