Azerbaijan, an ally of Turkey, has condemned a United States House panel resolution declaring the 1915 killing of Armenians as genocide, saying it could threaten regional stability and efforts to resolve a conflict over Armenian-backed Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Azeri parliament unanimously adopted a strongly-worded statement saying the US "damages efforts to restore peace and stability in the region."

Azerbaijan sees any affirmation of historical Armenian grievances against Turkey as an expression of support for Armenia in its conflict over the rebel region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan believes Western support for Armenia will only harden Yerevan's resolve against compromising on Nagorno-Karabakh.

On Thursday the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee voted 23-22 to approve a non-binding resolution calling on President Barack Obama to ensure US policy formally refers to the 1915 killing of hundreds of thousands of Armenians as genocide.

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan rejects the accusation as groundless. President Abdullah Gul says the resolution twists the historical record, warning Turkey will not be responsible for any negative consequences.

US government response.