Arab League hails Moroccan king's efforts for Jerusalem

Foreign ministers of the Arab League member countries praised the efforts made by King Hassan II, chairman of the Jerusalem Committee, to safeguard the holy city.

The ministerial council which held its 110th session adopted the recommendations of the committee that met last July 29-30 in Casablanca.

The committee urged Islamic countries which have taken steps to normalize relations with Israel to reconsider these moves until Israel abides by international legality.

The 16-member body, stemming from the Organization of the Islamic Conference, requested the USA and Russia, the other Security Council permanent members, the European Union and the Non-Aligned Movement countries to prevent the Judaization of the holy city and oppose its isolation from the rest of Palestine.

Countries were asked not to transfer their diplomatic representations in Israel to Jerusalem.

The committee's member countries, aid donors, banks, Islamic funds, companies and individuals were called upon to extend more assistance to support the "Bait Al-Mal Al-Quds" (Jerusalem Fund) and organize fund raising operations to the benefit of the holy city and its inhabitants.

The creation of the Jerusalem Fund was recommended during the Jerusalem Committee's 16th session, held in March 1997, to finance operations related to the preservation of the holy city.