TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has talked with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by phone, asking him to demand Israel to reopen the Al Aqsa Mosque. Indonesia is very concerned with rising tension at the holy compound.
In a phone discussion on Saturday, FM Retno and Secretary of State Tillerson discussed Israeli-Palestinian violence. “De-escalation [of tension] is key to prevent the situation from getting worse,” Retno said in a written statement received by Tempo yesterday.
Three were killed and scores were injured so far in clashes with Israeli military personnel. Tension continues to rise and the closure of Al Aqsa Mosque continues.
Read: Israel says Jerusalem Mosque Al Aqsa Metal Detectors to Stay
Tillerson told Retno that the US shared the same concern over the situation on the Al Aqsa Mosque. He said that the nation had held talks with Jordan, Palestine and Israel.
The Secretary of State agreed with Indonesia on the importance to prevent escalation of violence on Al Aqsa Mosque. He stressed that the status quo in the area must be maintained.
In addition, Retno is have also been intensively communicating with her Jordan, Palestinian, Turkish counterparts and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation secretary-general in a bid to reduce tension on Al Aqsa compound and allow Muslims to resume religious activities in it.
DANANG FIRMANTO
