Pope Francis has used his Christmas message to call for a negotiated two-state solution to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, hours after Guatemala announced that it was becoming the first country to follow President Donald Trump’s lead and recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Mr Trump’s December 6 declaration – overwhelmingly condemned at the United Nations general assembly last week – has sparked clashes that have left at least 12 Palestinians dead.

On Christmas Eve Jimmy Morales, the president of Guatemala, announced that his country was to follow the US lead and relocate it embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Guatemala and Israel have long had close ties, especially in security matters and Israeli arms sales to Guatemala. No other country has their embassy for Israel in Jerusalem, though the Czech Republic has said it is considering such a move.

Britain has said it has no plans to follow suit, and has condemned Mr Trump’s provocative move.