HOLY LAND: MAYOR OF JERUSALEM ORDERS A REVIEW OF THE CONSTRUCTION AT THE TEMPLE MOUNT

Mayor acts to calm Muslims over holy site
Jerusalem's leader calls for review of work on ramp near Islam's third holiest shrine.

JERUSALEM -- Hoping to quell days of Muslim protests, Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Jewish mayor on Monday ordered a review of construction outside a holy site at the heart of the Arab-Israeli conflict, a spokesman said.

However, the move -- meant to prove Israel will not damage Muslim shrines -- will not affect preparatory excavations that began last week and have infuriated people across the Muslim world.

The dispute centers on a new walkway Israel is building to the compound known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount. The walkway is meant to replace an earthen ramp that partially collapsed in a snowstorm three years ago.

Israeli archaeologists began an exploratory dig in the area last week to ensure no historical remains are destroyed during the construction. That work sparked fierce protests from Muslims, who accused Israel of plotting to damage the golden-capped Dome of the Rock shrine and the Al Aqsa Mosque in the same compound.

Israel denies the charge, noting the work is about 60 yards from the compound.

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