Jordan concerned over al-Aqsa excavations

Foreign minister Nasser Judeh on Monday said Jordan was deeply concerned over Israeli activities in Jerusalem, namely public and secret excavations around the holy al-Aqsa mosque and stressed that such practices ran contrary to international law and UNESCO principles. During a meeting with the director-general of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, Judeh urged the international organisation to enable Jordan to carry out its role in protecting the holy city and looking after al-Aqsa Mosque. The minister briefed the UN official on the historic Hashemite role in caring for Jerusalem and preserving its identity. He pledged that Jordan would continue to support UNESCO in protecting the old city and affirmed that the foreign ministry will keep the UN body up-to-date on the latest developments through documenting violations of international law in the city. Bokova in turn expressed the UNESCO's appreciation of Jordan's efforts, led by King Abdullah II to preserve Jerusalem and its holy shrines. The meeting also dealt with ties between Jordan and the UN organisation and prospects for closer cooperation in areas of protection of world heritage and women's empowerment.