Tanzania, June 16 -- Somaliland has opened an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming one of the few foreign entities to establish a diplomatic mission in the disputed city, six months after Israel recognised the breakaway territory as an independent state.

The embassy was inaugurated during an official visit by Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to Israel, where he met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu welcomed the move, describing it as a sign of deepening ties between the two sides and praising Somaliland's decision to locate its mission in Jerusalem rather than Tel Aviv, where most foreign embassies are based.

The development has drawn sharp criticism from Somalia, which regards Somaliland as part of its territory....