Egypt: Egypt's permanent representative to the United Nations said that any Israeli recognition of the 'so-called Somaliland' would fuel instability in the Horn of Africa and pose a real threat to international peace and security.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Ambassador Ihab Awad told a U.N. Security Council meeting that the council had reaffirmed its support for Somalia earlier this month, with backing from Britain, by extending sanctions on the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group and renewing the mandate of the African Union mission to help build Somali state capacity and advance reconstruction and development.

Awad said any unilateral Israeli move would undermine those collective efforts and run counter to the council's long-standing approach, which he said was based on upholding Somalia's unity and sovereignty over its entire territory.

'Somalia is facing new and unprecedented challenges,' Awad said, adding that Egypt expected international opposition to acts seen as harming Somalia's interests to widen in light of recent developments.

He said Somalia's security and stability were directly linked to Egypt's own, warning that steps likely to inflame tensions would not only endanger Somalia internally but also destabilize the wider region.

Awad called on the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities in addressing the consequences of any such move and to send an unambiguous message that Somalia's unity and sovereignty were not open to compromise under any label.