Washington: US President Donald Trump stated on Friday that he had no immediate plans to follow Israel in recognizing Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation.

According to Anadolu Agency, Trump expressed his stance during a phone interview with the New York Post. He emphasized that while "everything is under study," he was not in a hurry to make a decision, stating, "We'll study it. I study a lot of things and always make great decisions and they turn out to be correct." Trump also questioned the general awareness about Somaliland, asking, "Does anyone know what Somaliland is, really?"

The conversation also touched on Somaliland's offer to provide the US access to a port on the strategically significant Gulf of Aden. Trump was dismissive of the proposal, remarking, "Big deal."

Israel made headlines on Friday by becoming the first country to officially recognize Somaliland's separation from Somalia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to discuss the development with Trump during a scheduled meeting on Monday. Netanyahu also held a video call with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to mark the diplomatic breakthrough and mentioned Somaliland's interest in joining the Abraham Accords.

Trump clarified that he was not influenced by Somaliland's proposal and emphasized that the forthcoming talks with Netanyahu would focus on issues concerning the Gaza Strip. This includes the ceasefire brokered by Trump in October and the ongoing reconstruction efforts under a UN-approved framework.