AMMAN, Jordan, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A senior Jordanian government official has said the country plans to construct a fifth minaret on the Temple Mount in early 2007.
Raief Najim, vice chairman of the committee overseeing the plans, said Israel has not objected to the construction of the minaret, which is planned for the eastern wall of the Temple Mount in the vicinity of the Golden Gate, the Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.
Najim said he detailed the plan to Israeli authorities in 2005 and toured the site of the planned minaret with a Jerusalem police commander, a senior government official and the head of the Antiquities Authority. He said none of the three officials voiced opposition to the construction.
"Even though the political situation has changed, I do not think they will refuse to construct such a thing," he said.
The minaret, planned to be one of the tallest on the mount, will be the first to be built in more than 600 years, the Post said.
