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Israel Resumes Digging Near Jerusalem's Holy Site Despite Islamic
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Appeals
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16329C3:A6F02AD83191E1604F6D95CB122466709574F7DCC14957C0 Muslim leaders
around the world have said the Israeli renovation work threatens the
foundations of the Al-Aqsa Mosque





Israeli workers dig with bulldozers a walkway to the Al Aqsa Mosque
compound in east Jerusalem's Old City (8 Feb 2007)

Palestinian demonstrators have scuffled with police as Israel resumed
renovation work Sunday near a Muslim holy site in Jerusalem.

Several protesters were arrested in the third straight day of
demonstrations against Israeli work on a ramp leading to the al-Aqsa
mosque, Islam's third holiest site.

Workmen returned to the site under heavy police guard today after a
break Saturday for the Jewish Sabbath.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told his cabinet Sunday the work
will continue because the walkway is dangerous. 

The ramp leads to the compound Muslims call the Noble Sanctuary
(al-Haram al-Sharif). Jews refer to the complex as the Temple Mount. 

In other news, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told reporters
today that three-way talks later this month between himself, Mr.
Olmert and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will deal with final
status issues for a Palestinian state. 

Speaking in Cairo after talks with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak,
Mr. Abbas said the talks would deal with the borders of an eventual
Palestinian state, Jewish settlements in the occupied West bank, and a
time line.

Israeli-Palestinian peace talks collapsed six years ago.  

On Saturday, the Arab League called on the U.N. to stop Israeli work
on the ramp near the Muslim holy compound, saying it could disrupt
efforts to revive the peace process.

Muslim leaders around the world say the work threatens the foundations
of the al-Aqsa mosque.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld says an increased force of
two-thousand officers will remain in East Jerusalem to maintain order.

The official says Israeli police also will continue to bar Muslim men
under 45 from entering the holy site.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.




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