US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights has united Washington's Gulf Arab allies and regional foe Iran in condemnation.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait criticised Monday's move to recognise Israel's 1981 annexation and said the territory was occupied Arab land.
Riyadh and Abu Dhabi said it was an impediment to peace.
Syrians hold an Arabic banner that reads, "Golan is ours despite Trump's decision," during a protest against President Donald Trump's move. Source: SANA
Iran echoed the comments, describing Trump's decision as unprecedented this century.
"No one could imagine that a person in America comes and gives land of a nation to another occupying country, against international laws and conventions," President Hassan Rouhani was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA on Tuesday.
Trump, with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looking over his shoulder during a visit to Washington, signed a proclamation on Monday officially granting US recognition of the Golan Heights as Israeli territory.
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu hands a pen to US President Donald J Trump as he signs the order. Source: AP
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in a 1967 war and annexed it in 1981, in a move the UN Security Council declared unlawful.
"It will have significant negative effects on the peace process in the Middle East, and the security and stability of the region," said a statement on Saudi state news agency SPA.
It described the declaration as a clear violation of the United Nations Charter and of international law.
Trump's special adviser Jared Kushner visited the Gulf Arab region last month to seek support on the economic portion of a long-awaited peace proposal for the Middle East.
Gulf Arab states host US troops and are important for Washington's regional defence policy.
US President Donald Trump (L) and Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu with the signed Presidential proclamation on the Golan Heights Source: AAP
Qatar, which has been at loggerheads with other Gulf states over its policies, joined them in rejecting Trump's move and called on Israel to end its occupation of the Golan Heights and comply with international resolutions.
Lebanon said the decision contravened international law.
"The world is witnessing a black day," Lebanese President Michel Aoun said on Twitter during a visit to Russia
