Stones thrown, but West Bank mostly quiet

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Israeli soldiers used tear gas Friday to disperse stone-throwing West Bank Palestinians rallying to support their U.N. bid for statehood, officials said.

Authorities prepared for the possibility of more violence, but the West Bank and East Jerusalem remained mostly quiet hours before Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was to speak at the United Nations, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Six youths were arrested in three different locations, the Post said.

Israeli security forces deployed across the country, with heavy emphasis on Jerusalem and the border around the city, police Inspector General Yochanan Danino said.

"Our goal is awareness, trying to be aware of situations before we need to use force," Public Security Minister Yitzhak Ahronovitch said after an Israeli security strategy session.

At the Al Aqsa Mosque, 5,000 worshipers attended prayer services without incident, the Post said.

The period from the end of prayers until the Abbas speech are "very sensitive hours," Ahronovitch said after the security meeting. "The quiet is continuing and we haven't seen any evidence that people are preparing to disturb the peace."

Dozens of Palestinians near the Kalandia checkpoint threw stones at Israeli soldiers, who responded with tear gas.

At Majalas Gate, one of the entrances to the Temple Mount, police arrested two youths who tried to force their way into the plaza.

There other youths were arrested in Beit Hanina after burning tires and throwing rocks at police. Another was arrested for throwing rocks in Ras al Amud, the Post said.