On Thursday, Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov discussed with Jordanian Ambassador to Moscow Khaled Shawabkeh the current situation around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including the escalation of tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.
"The conversation addressed recent developments in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, including the dangerous escalation of tensions around the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. In this context, the importance of preserving the status quo of the Holy Places in Jerusalem was noted and the need to avoid provocations fraught with a new round of violence was stressed," the Russian MFA said in a statement released Thursday.
The sides also touched on some practical issues of further strengthening the traditionally friendly Russian-Jordanian relations, including deepening the political dialogue on the problems of resolving the situation in and around Syria.
The meeting was held at the request of the Jordanian side.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA earlier reported that Israeli security forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque using stun grenades and tear gas, as well as rubber bullets and batons. More than 400 people were detained, according to the Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen. Israeli police reported that dozens of young people wearing masks barricaded themselves inside the mosque and began chanting slogans and calling for unrest. The police then had to enter the temple compound.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Godot13/Creative Commons 4.0
Based on materials from TASS