UN calls for protection of Jerusalem mosque site

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- A United Nations Security Council statement called for restraint in dealing with escalating tension at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque.

The mosque, regarded as Islam's third-holiest site, has been the site of conflict between Israeli police and Palestinians. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades Tuesday at rock-throwing Palestinians as the demonstrators barricaded themselves in the mosque, a police action regarded by some in the Muslim world as an attack on a holy sanctuary. Israel has maintained and policed the property since 1967.

A press release on the Security Council statement, drafted by Jordan's U.N. mission, called for "the exercise of restraint, refraining from provocative actions and rhetoric and upholding the historic status quo of the Haram al-Sharif compound," a reference to the Jerusalem area also known as the Temple Mount, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque, as well as Christian and Judaic sanctuaries.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman, whose title includes "Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques" in his country, which are Islam's other holiest sites, asked his foreign minister, Adel Al-Jubeir to insure the protection of Al-Aqsa, calling for Israeli restraint. The White House also issued a statement recommending all sides refrain from "provocative action and rhetoric."