Erdogan warns US Jerusalem move to 'play into hands of terror groups'

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday strongly warned the United States against recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying the move would only help terrorists.

"Such a step will only play into the hands of terror groups," Erdogan said at a joint news conference in Ankara after talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

The Jordanian monarch, who had been personally informed by President Donald Trump of the move by telephone, also cautioned that "Jerusalem is key to any peace agreement (between Israel and the Palestinians) and is key to the stability of the entire region".