GCC concern over al-Aqsa Mosque

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, April 13 (UPI) -- The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council Wednesday expressed concern over threats by Jewish extremists to raid al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.

A statement issued by GCC's secretariat general urged the international community and permanent members of the U.N. Security Council to take a firm position to deter the threats and protect the mosque.

Jewish extremists have threatened to enter al-Aqsa by force to protest Israel's unilateral pullout from Gaza.

The GCC includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.