LISBON, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government on Wednesday expressed its regret over the United States decision to withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council, saying that it is only through dialogue and participation in the UN system that differences can be overcome.

According to a foreign ministry statement, the Portuguese government also expressed hope that the decision by the United States could be "reconsidered."

The statement said that the departure from the UN Human Rights Council of any member state is "a loss for all" and that it is through the active participation in the various agencies and bodies that constitutes the United Nations system and through dialogue between states that differences can be overcome.

Portugal values greatly the UN Human Rights Council's role in the promotion and protection of human rights in the whole world, it said.

Portugal is a firm defender of a reinforced multilateral system, anchored in the three pillars of the United Nations system and in a far-reaching and cross-cutting concept of peace, promoting at the same time human rights and sustainable development, the statement concluded.

The United States announced its withdrawal from the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday. The U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN, Nikki Haley, accused the UN human rights body of being "a protector of human rightsabusers" and of bias against Israel.