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Abbas reiterates commitment to install cameras at al-Aqsa mosque compound

Xinhua, March 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated Thursday the Palestinian approval to Jordan's arrangements to install cameras at al-Aqsa mosque compound in east Jerusalem, the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

Following a meeting with President Abbas, Jordanian Foreign Minister Naser Judeh stressed Jordan's commitment to the protection of the holy Islamic and Christian sites in Jerusalem and Amman's steady position to preserve the historic status-quo, under which Jordan is responsible for Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem since 1967.

He said the installation of the cameras is a Jordanian initiative aimed at "exposing all trespasses or assaults to the holy sites." The cameras will be installed on walls around the vicinity and not inside buildings, he added.

Jordan said two days ago that 55 security cameras will be installed at al-Aqsa mosque compound in coming days.

Judeh said his country believes that the two-state solution is the only solution to guarantee an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital, being the core issue to the region.

The spark of the ongoing wave of violence that broke out between Palestinians and Israel was ignited after intense clashes at al-Aqsa mosque compound between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli forces.

The Jordanian initiative to install security cameras at the holy Islamic site was endorsed by the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Oct. 24, 2015.

Kerry announced reaching an understanding with Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians to keep the status quo of al-Aqsa mosque compound, under which Jordan will install cameras and Jews will refrain from praying at the compound. Israel said it agreed.

Since last October, clashes between Palestinians and Israelis have killed 204 Palestinians and at least 34 Israelis, according the Palestinian health ministry and Israeli sources. Endit