Only nuclear bomb can stop Israeli digging, Egypt MP says

"That cursed Israel is trying to destroy al-Aqsa mosque...Nothing will work with Israel except for a nuclear bomb that wipes it out of existence." Mohamed el-Katatny of President Hosni Mubarak's National Democratic Party (NDP) told the Egyptian Parliament.

During the special parliamentary meeting, which was convened to discuss controversial renovations near the Mugrabi Gate in East Jerusalem, other members of el-Katatny's party called to revoke Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

"The war with Israel is still ongoing whether we like it or not," NDP legislator Khalifa Radwan said.

Mohamed Amer, another ruling party member, said: "What this (Israeli) gang is doing makes me demand that we trample over all the agreements we signed."

The parliament has little say in national security issues or foreign policy, ultimately dictated by Mubarak who has rejected similar calls in the past.

'Incitement for political gains'

Israeli leaders have stated that the works, meant to fortify an existing structure outside of the Temple Mount, are causing no damage to Al-Aqsa mosque and that Arab claims to the contrary are nothing more than incitement by extremists.

Last week, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said "There are irresponsible people, who know perfectly well that there is no damage being done to any holy site, who are abusing the Israeli democracy to incite religious sentiments for political gains."

Nonetheless, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski suspended construction late Sunday night in response to recent Arab-Israeli protests and Israeli authorities said on Monday they would reconsider the planned construction work near the mosque.