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Ammon News -

Ayman Safadi, the Foreign Minister, Monday said that protecting al-Aqsa Mosque and the identity and character of Jerusalem, as well as its Islamic and Christian sanctities, is a priority for Jordan.

He added, in an address in the parliament, "From this principle, we proceed in our ceaseless efforts to encounter all illegal Israeli measures aimed at changing the historical and legal status quo in holy sites and changing their Arab, Islamic and Christian identity."

"This effort is continuing, and it has continued after the recent attack last Friday on the al-Haram and the entry of the Israeli police and special forces into the Qibli Mosque," Safadi said, adding that the Kingdom has intensified its efforts in open lines of communication with international parties and with Arab countries.

He said that Jordan has been coordinating with the Palestinian National Authority to bring an end to the Israeli violations against the al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian worshipers.

He said, "Before the blessed month of Ramadan [started], His Majesty the King led intense international and regional efforts to emphasise that the entire international community must act to stop Israel from repeating its attacks on the al-Haram and that it respects the historical and legal situation in it."

Safadi added that the status quo cannot continue and that work must be done to find a real political horizon to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state on June 4, 1967, lines with occupied Jerusalem as its capital

He said that under the directives of His Majesty the King, "Extensive contacts were conducted with the US Administration, the Europeans and with our brothers in the Arab countries, and we will host in the Kingdom, next Thursday, a meeting of the committee emanating from the Arab League to encounter the illegal Israeli measures in Jerusalem."

He noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates had summoned the Israeli envoy to protest and condemn the Israeli violations, holding the Israeli authorities responsible for everything that happens.

The situation in the al-Aqsa Mosque must return to the historical situation that existed before 2000, he said, "meaning that the blessed al-Aqsa Mosque / al-Haram al-Sharif, with an area of 144 dunums, is a place of worship purely for Muslims, and the visit of non-Muslims is organised by the Islamic Endowments Department affiliated to the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places.

He added that returning to this situation is what prevents the exacerbation of tension.