Jordan exerts efforts to reopen al-Aqsa Mosque after attack

Jordan is exerting its utmost efforts to pressure Israel to reopen al-Aqsa Mosque which Israel closed on Friday for the first time in 50 years following a gun attack that killed two Israeli policemen.

Yehya Soud, head of the Palestine Committee at the Lower House, called for the opening of the mosque and said Jordan was exerting pressure on Israel in this regard.

In a statement on Saturday, a copy of which was obtained by Xinhua, the head of the committee slammed the Israeli measure and said it was a serious escalation.

He also called on all Arabs and Muslims to intensify efforts to reopen the mosque.

Early on Friday, three Israeli Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces inside the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Two Israeli officers were also killed during the clashes.

As a result of the attack, Israeli police closed down the al-Aqsa Mosque till further notice.

On Friday, Jordan's Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani said Israel should open the mosque to the worshipers and not take any measures that will change the status quo in Jerusalem and al-Aqsa Mosque.

Momani stressed on Jordan's rejection of any violations against the rights of the Muslims to exercise their worship and called for the immediate opening of al-Aqsa Mosque.

Jordan, which condemns violence, called for the opening of an investigation into the incident, he said.

"Jordan will continue to deploy its diplomatic, legal and political tools to stand up to any attempts to alter the status quo in Jerusalem," Momani said.

source: xinhua