Biden reaffirms Jordan’s role overseeing Temple Mount

President Joe Biden on Friday reaffirmed his administration’s support for Jordan’s longrunning role as the custodian of Muslim holy sites at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem following a meeting with King Abdullah II at the White House.

Biden met with Jordan’s Abdullah after several rounds of clashes in recent weeks at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site for Muslims. It is built on a hilltop that is also the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

The White House said in a statement following the meeting that Biden reiterated “his strong support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and cited the need to

preserve the historic status quo at the Haram al-Sharif/ Temple Mount,” using the names for the holy site used by Muslims and Jews.

“The President also recognized the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s crucial

role as the custodian of Muslim holy places in Jerusalem,” the White House added in statement.

Palestinians have long feared that Israel plans to eventually take over the site or partition it.

ANDREW HARNIK — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein speaks during a meeting with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday.