Egypt summons Israeli ambassador on work near al-Aqsa Mosque

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry Thursday summoned Israeli Ambassador to Egypt Shalom Cohen and expressed "Egypt's dismay and anger" at Israel's excavation work near an Islamic holy site, the official news agency MENA reported.

In a statement to Cohen, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry denounced the Israeli digging near the al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing the importance of protecting the holy sites in order not to rouse the anger of Arab and Muslim peoples.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned the digging operations at al-Aqsa area could destroy the archaeological infrastructure of the area and pose a threat to the foundations of the holy mosque, according to MENA.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry told Cohen that Israel must stop unilateral measures by honoring all international agreements on protecting holy sites.

It said such measures would undermine peace efforts aimed at restoring trust between the Palestinians and Israelis for reviving the Middle East peace process and establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israeli excavation work started Tuesday near Al-Magharba Gate, which is considered part of the Western Wall of al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine. The operation has caused wide-spread anger across the Arab world.

The Israeli Antiquities Authority on Tuesday defended its construction work, saying it was building a safe bridge to the al- Aqsa compound which would cause no damage to it.

Source: Xinhua