The Arab League (AL) Saturday blasted Israel's excavation in
Jerusalem's Old City as "criminal" act and urged the international
community to stop it, Egypt's MENA news agency reported.
In a statement after an emergency meeting at the level of AL
permanent delegates on Israel's dig, the AL said it would move at
the Arab, Islamic and international levels to "halt the Israeli
assault on the mosque."
The AL called on the UN Security Council to hold a meeting to
stop the Israeli activity, said the statement. It also urged the
Quartet, which groups the UN, the EU, the US and Russia, to act and
end Israel's excavation.
The Israeli Antiquities Authority on Tuesday began a salvage
excavation in the Jerusalem Archeological Park, sitting beneath the
al-Aqsa Mosque compound, for the purpose of erecting supporting
pillars for a permanent and safe bridge leading to the entrance of
the compound.
However, the excavation triggered protest among Palestinians,
who considered it as a damage to al-Aqsa Mosque.
On Friday, Israeli police used tear gas and stun grenades to
disperse Muslim worshippers, who staged a violent protest after
Friday prayers.
Muslim and Arab countries across the Middle East also have
condemned the excavation despite Israel's promise to secure the
al-Aqsa Mosque during the construction.
(Xinhua News Agency February 11, 2007)
