File photo taken on Jan. 3, 2017 shows that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres leaves after laying a wreath to honor UN staff members fallen in the line of duty at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)

UNITED NATIONS, June 1 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that U.S. President Donald Trump's decision on Thursday to keep the U.S. embassy for Israel in Tel Aviv rather than moving it to Jerusalem was "a wise decision."

The White House said Trump decided to sign a six-month waiver to a 1995 U.S. law requiring the embassy be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Previous U.S. presidents have signed similar waivers.

"We think the signing of the waiver and the decision taken (Thursday) was a wise decision," said UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. "Of course the status of Jerusalem is a core issue that can only be resolved through a negotiated political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

"The secretary-general hopes the decision can contribute to facilitating the resumption of a genuine peace process," Dujarric added.

Moving the embassy would have complicated such negotiations since they each call Jerusalem their capital.

Trump repeatedly said during his presidential campaign he would move the embassy and a U.S. official said he intends to eventually keep his word.