ISTANBUL 

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support on Tuesday for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, following Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region of Somaliland.

At a Cabinet meeting chaired by King Salman in Riyadh, the kingdom rejected the mutual recognition declaration between Israel and Somaliland.

It stressed rejection of “attempts to impose parallel entities” that undermine Somalia’s stability and underlined support for the Horn of Africa country’s legitimate state institutions.

Israel became the first country in the world to recognize Somaliland as a sovereign state on Friday.

Riyadh warned the same day that the Israeli step entrenches “unilateral, separatist measures” and contradicts international law.

Somaliland, which has lacked official recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, operates as a de facto independent administrative, political, and security entity, with the central government unable to assert control over the region, and its leadership unable to secure international recognition of independence.