'Israel to let worshippers out of Mount'
Hundreds of Muslims entrench themselves in al-Aqsa Mosque since start of Jerusalem riots. Jordanian ambassador reaches agreement with Jewish state to allow them to come out without being arrested, Fatah official reports. Police say only dozens were on Mount, no one ever stopped them from leaving
The Jerusalem Police, however, said Sunday morning that "there is no one entrenched in the al-Aqsa Mosque. Throughout last week there were several dozens of adult Muslim worshippers, who left the mosque when the Mount opened on Friday to worshippers of all ages."
A police official clarified that the worshippers chose to leave and were never prevented from coming out.
On Sunday morning the police decided to open the Temple Mount to all visitors. According to a police official, "Since the morning hours visitors have been entering the Temple Mount, including Muslim worshippers of all ages, and there have been no unusual incidents."
Palestinian news agency Maan reported earlier that 400 worshippers had entrenched themselves in the al-Aqsa Mosque. According to the report, the Jordan-mediated agreement ended the crisis. Abdel Kader plans to convene a press conference on Sunday morning and disclose additional details on the arrangement reached.
Police officer near Temple Mount, Friday. End of riots? (Photo: AFP)
The Friday prayer services at the Temple Mount's mosques ended without any unusual incidents. Eleven policemen and Border Guard officers were lightly injured from stones hurled by east Jerusalem residents in the neighborhood of Ras al-Amud.
Dozens of youths threw stones in the village of Sur Baher as well. There were no injuries in this incident.
Two people were arrested by the police during the disturbances. Some 100 people have been detained since the start of the riots in the capital.
Police Commissioner Dudi Cohen said following the Friday prayer that "the peak of tensions is behind us. As of next week, all bodies must draw conclusions so that such events do not repeat themselves, including the Islamic Movement.
Jerusalem District Commander Aharon Franco said, "In the next day or two we'll try to go back to routine and return the Mount to routine as well." Franco explained that the Temple Mount would open to all visitors after the weekend.
The riots in the capital broke out on the backdrop of accusations that Israel is encouraging visits of radical elements to the Temple Mount and digging under the al-Qasa Mosque.
Sheikh Raed Salah, leader of the Islamic Movement's northern faction, was arrested last week on suspicion of incitement, and was later released and banned from Jerusalem.
Efrat Weiss contributed to this report
