UN's Khiari Calls for Maintaining Status Quo at Jerusalem’s Holy Sites

The UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Khaled Khiari calls on all parties to maintain the status quo at East Jerusalem's flashpoint Al-Aqsa.

In his address to the UN Security Council on Thursday, Khiari reiterated the Secretary-General’s call for all parties to refrain from steps that could escalate tensions in and around the Holy Sites, and for all to uphold the status quo, in line with the unique role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan."

"Over the past several days, the United Nations has remained in close contact with relevant parties to de-escalate the situation. These engagements will continue in the coming days and weeks," he noted.

Khiari made these remarks after Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's visit to the Al Aqsa compound in East Jerusalem.

He continued: "At this sensitive moment, all efforts to lower tensions should be encouraged, while provocations, inflammatory steps, unilateral actions, and threats of violence must be categorically rejected.

The top UN official also asserted that leaders on all sides are responsible for lowering the flames and creating conditions for calm, adding that the United Nations remains ready to assist and support these efforts.