Metal detectors removed

– Israel removed metal detectors from a highly sensitive Jerusalem holy site before dawn yesterday and said they would no longer be used after their installation triggered deadly violence.

The move came in the face of intensive international diplomacy seeking to stop wider Palestinian unrest, with Israel saying it would introduce subtler security measures instead to secure the site following a fatal attack.

Muslim officials remained undecided yesterday morning as to whether to accept Israel’s move and end their halt to prayers at the Haram al-Sharif mosque compound.

Israel’s security Cabinet took the decision to remove the detectors early yesterday. –