Qatar warns US of 'serious repercussions' over Jerusalem

DOHA: Qatar's emir has warned US President Donald Trump that his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital would have "serious repercussions", according to a statement from Doha's foreign ministry on Thursday.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani "warned of the serious repercussions of this step, which would further complicate the situation in the Middle East and negatively affect the security and stability in the region," read a statement from the ministry, quoting the emir in a phone call with Trump.

An estimated 20,500 Palestinians live in Qatar, which has a population of around 2.7 million.

The gas-rich emirate, which is estimated to be the richest country in the world per capita, in October announced it would fund a new headquarters for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza to support a reconciliation deal between rivals Hamas and Fatah.