“The israeli authorities must halt the ongoing works in al-Buraq Square and abide by their obligations as an occupying power in Jerusalem,” spokesman for the Jordanian foreign ministry Dhaifallah al-Fayez said in a press release on Sunday.

Spokesman Fayez called on the zionist regime “to respect the international law and stop any action affecting the identity of the Old City of Jerusalem or changing its character.”

The spokesman reiterated Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of all unilateral measures taken by the zionist regime in the east of Occupied Jerusalem, its the Old City, and in the vicinity of the Aqsa Mosque.

He affirmed that “Jordan’s Jerusalem Awqaf and Aqsa Mosque Affairs Administration has exclusive jurisdiction over the management of the Aqsa Mosque with its 144 dunums of land, premises, courtyards, walls and gates in accordance with the international law and the status quo in the holy city.”

He also pointed out that “all maintenance and restoration works at the Mosque and its surroundings are within the exclusive authority of the Jerusalem Awqaf Department.” (ILKHA)