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OVERVIEW
OF THIS WEEK
IN THE MIDEAST
Week Ending Saturday February 22, 1997
JORDAN TO REASSERT IT'S AUTHORITY
OVER TEMPLE MOUNT:
(ZINC, Radio Jordan) 2/16/97
Prime Minister Abd-al-Karim al-Kabariti has pledged that his government
will fully carry out an order by his majesty the king for Jordan's custody
of Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine.
In a cable to his majesty the king, Mr. al-Kabariti said the government
would oversee implementation of the Hashemite initiative to take custody
of the mosque's yards, corridors, and annexes.
He said: The offer would cover assigning guards, illuminating a prayer
hall, and refurbishing the holy shrine's audio system.
The prime minister said his pledge, marking laylat al-Qadr, the 27th
night of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, aims to keep al-Aqsa Mosque
an Islamic landmark as a reasserting of Muslim and Arab rights in Jerusalem.
ARAFAT THREATENS TOUGH
MEASURES OVER JERUSALEM
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said today he would consider tougher
measures against Israel unless it ceased 'provocative' actions in Jerusalem.
"Until now we are patient, but patience has its limits," he told reporters
in Cairo after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and leaving for
a visit to Moscow.
"Palestine is thinking of taking tougher steps to counter Israeli acts
in Jerusalem and has already begun the process of submitting a memorandum
to the UN Security Council. We are also considering calling for a meeting
of the Arab League or even an Islamic summit," he added.=20
Arafat, who arrived in Cairo earlier Monday, regularly consults with
Mubarak on his peace negotiations with Israel. (REUTERS 2/17)
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