Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Calls to Hold Arab Foreign Ministers Emergency Meeting in 48 Hours | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Palestinians react following tear gas that was shot by Israeli forces after Friday prayer on a street outside Jerusalem’s Old city. REUTERS/Ammar Awad


Cairo- Hossam Zaki, assistant secretary general of the Arab League, told Asharq Al-Awsat that a meeting for Arab foreign ministers is being prepared upon the request of Jordan – it is supposed to be held within 48 hours.

Arab diplomatic sources revealed that there are ongoing connections to hold an emergency ministerial meeting to discuss latest developments in Jerusalem and Aqsa Mosque.

Aqsa Mosque witnessed during the past two days serious violations from the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian prayers, killing four Palestinians and wounding 400 as well as arresting dozens.

This pushed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to announce suspending communications with Israel until the occupation retracts its procedures in the Aqsa Mosque.

In a related matter, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ahmed Abou Zaid said that Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry received a phone call on Saturday from his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi and they discussed the deteriorating security condition in Jerusalem and Aqsa Mosque in addition to the aggression against Palestinians.

They both evaluated the situation from various sides and stressed importance of ceasing Israeli escalation against Palestinians and removing imposed restrictions on practicing rituals in Aqsa Mosque.

Abou Zaid added that foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan tackled possible procedures that can be taken to face the current crisis.

In a statement for the Egyptian foreign ministry, it called for an instant cease of violence and security escalation against Palestinian in Jerusalem and Aqsa Mosque, expressing concerns over the situation.

Egypt emphasized that Israel should respect sacredness of religious sites and the right of Palestinian to practice religious rituals freely and safely.