Police quell riot at Temple Mount

JERUSALEM, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Twelve Palestinians were arrested Sunday during a riot against Israeli police at the Temple Mount in Old Jerusalem, authorities said.

Three police officers and eight Muslim worshippers received minor injuries, spokesmen for each side said.

The rioters threw rocks and small gasoline bombs and oiled the entrance to the Temple Mount to make it difficult for police to follow several dozen young men who fled inside, Ynetnews.com reported.

Police closed the Temple Mount to Muslim worshippers and visitors to negotiate with the men inside, The Jerusalem Post reported, adding the Jewish prayer wall at the Temple remained open Sunday.

The rioters were allegedly summoned by clerics calling on Muslims to protect the Temple Mount, one of the world's most disputed religious sites.

There were reports of stones being thrown at passersby and police in other parts of Old Jerusalem Sunday, although no injuries or damage was reported.

Similar violence erupted Saturday night, but the Temple Mount remained open until the riot Sunday.