BICOM

Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas has reportedly called for Muslim worshippers to return to al-Aqsa Mosque following Israel dismantling metal railings and infrastructure for cameras.

Despite Israel removing metal detectors on Tuesday night as previously demanded by protesters, Abbas had approved plans for mass protests in the West Bank on Friday. Meetings took place on Wednesday between representatives of various Palestinian factions at the office of Fatah deputy chairman Mahmoud al-Aloul. In attendance were Jabal al-Mheissen who is responsible for the Tanzim – an armed militia loosely affiliated with Fatah – on the Fatah central committee, former Palestinian intelligence chief Tawfik Tirawi, and the heads of Fatah’s regional branches in the West Bank.

It remains unclear whether Abbas will call off the protests following the latest developments overnight and this morning.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II urged Abbas to work to calm spiralling tensions yesterday, hours after Palestinian factions called for violent demonstrations Friday over the Temple Mount.

In a phone call, the two leaders “stressed the importance of continuing coordination to bring the situation back to what it was before the outbreak of the crisis and ensure that the historical and legal status in the Holy Mosque is respected,” according to a statement carried by the Jordan’s Petra news agency.

The official Palestinian Wafa news agency said the two “agreed to unify efforts and maintain consultations”.