Jordan concerned about occupied lands

Jordan expressed deep concern at developments in the Palestinian territories and warned the bloodshed and human losses could cause the failure of peace efforts.

A statement by Jordan's government said that it was saddened by the confrontations that caused the deaths of eight Palestinians and the injury of scores of others.

It urged the Israeli government to handle the situation with wisdom and to avoid any escalation.

Earlier Jordan strongly condemned an arson attack by Jewish extremists on one of the gates leading to the compound of al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

"Israel should bear responsibility for protecting Islamic and Christian holy shrines in the city," Jordanian Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Salam Majali said. "The extremists' act cotntradicts with the spirit of Jordan's peace treaty with Israel which includes articles dealing with the holy places," he added, saying that the stalemate in the peace process encouraged extremists to launch such attacks.

In another statement Jordan's acting Minister of Information Naser Lawzi warned of the danger of such attacks and practices on the Arab Moslem presence in the holy city, "Such acts harm the feelings of Moslems and endanger the peace process."