Israel reopens Al-Aqsa mosque compound: Police

Israeli border policemen prevent the Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein (centre) from entering the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem on Oct 30, 2014 after Israeli authorities temporarily closed the compound, Islam's third holiest
Israeli border policemen prevent the Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein (centre) from entering the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem on Oct 30, 2014 after Israeli authorities temporarily closed the compound, Islam's third holiest site but also the most sacred place in Judaism. -- PHOTO: AFP

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israel decided on Thursday evening to reopen Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound hours after ordering its closure and following Arab and US calls for Muslim worshippers to be allowed in.

"It was decided to restore (the compound) to normal... effective immediately," police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP, adding that because of a fear of unrest at Friday midday prayers, entry for men would be restricted to those over 50.

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