FM: Israel's respect of historical status quo of Al Aqsa Mosque is "key to
calm"
http://www.petra.gov.jo/Public_News/Nws_NewsDetails.aspx?lang=2&site_id=1&NewsID=310327&CatID=13

Amman, July 19 (Petra) -- Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman
Safadi, Wednesday, said that Jordan wants to stop tension and restore calm
in Jerusalem, and will continue work to achieve that through re-opening of
Al Aqsa mosque and ensuring Israel's commitment not to change its historical
and legal status.

He said Israel's respect for the historic and legal status in the Al-Aqsa
Mosque and the end of all attempts to create new facts on the ground is the
key to restoring calm in the Holy shrines.

During two separate meetings with ambassadors of the EU and Asian countries
to Jordan, the minister stressed that ending tension that would trigger a
crisis is in the "hands of Israel", which should immediately open the
Al-Aqsa mosque without any hindrances.

"Preserving security and stability in holy places is a Jordanian objective,
but this cannot be achieved by changing the historic status quo but through
respecting it", said Safadi.

He added that continued tension will deepen despair and increase
opportunities for extremists to exploit it to escalate the situation and
threaten security and stability.

Safadi said that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah
the custodian of the holy Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem, will
work with partners and friends to restore calm and resolve the crisis.

//Petra//

19/7/2017 - 04:36:10 PM