Israel reopens access ramp to Al-Aqsa compound

JERUSALEM: Israel on Wednesday reopened a controversial wooden access ramp to Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, just over 48 hours after it was closed on safety grounds in a move which had sparked Muslim anger.

"It was opened this morning," police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld told.

"It has been opened as normal for visitors, both Christian and Jewish."

He said no work had been carried out to stabilise or alter the ramp, but pointed out that a fire engine had been stationed nearby and other unspecified safety precautions put in place.

"It hasn't been touched yet, nobody has changed anything," he said. "The decision was made by the municipality that it can be used again."

Jerusalem city council had ordered the ramp to be demolished and a permanent replacement built, saying it posed a fire hazard and could collapse onto the women's prayer section by the Western Wall, the holiest site at which Jews may pray.

It was closed on Sunday night, sparking fierce criticism from the Palestinians as well as from Jordan.

In a compromise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday ordered that the existing ramp be strengthened to make it safe.