Palestinians take part in a protest against the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Dec 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Ayman Nobani)

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Sunday called for African states to reject Israel's candidature for UN Security Council (UNSC) seat for 2019-2020.

Gheit, speaking at the opening session of the 30th African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government, said the Arab League is requesting this move on African states to show solidarity to Palestinian comrades which are under Israeli occupation.

Israel is planning to run for a non-permanent membership at UNSC for 2019-2020, a move the Jewish state hopes will give it better international diplomatic clout.

The UNSC, the world's premier body to deal with global security and peace challenges, has 15 member states, 10 of which are non-permanent members who take seats on a two-year revolving basis and five are permanent veto-holding members.

"I would like to applaud African countries who have always despite overt pressures exerted on them stood with Palestinian justice in the international area," said Gheit.

"We're confident African solidarity with our Palestinian brethren will remain strong and resilient in the face of Israeli occupation; in rejecting Israel's candidature to UNSC whose resolution it violates and disdains at will," he further said.

Aboul-Gheit, also commended African states for voting en mass in the UN General Assembly in December 2017 to reject the U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move its embassy to the city.

Jerusalem is contested by both Israelis and Palestinians with both claiming the right to have their capital city in the historic city.

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