New clashes in Jerusalem, West Bank

Jerusalem, March 13 : Groups of young Palestinians rioted Saturday in the old city of Jerusalem and the West bank after Israeli police closed both areas to devout Muslims seeking to go to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Temple Mount.

Five of the rioters were arrested.

Arab youths tried to break through Israeli police controls at the Nablus Gate in the old city of Jerusalem. Another was arrested after attacking a police officer while trying to reach the prayer area.

Other clashes occurred at different gates of the Temple Mount, though no injuries were reported at those sites.

The old city of Jerusalem has been closed to Muslim prayers since Friday morning. Israeli police have also banned worshippers under 50 from reaching the Temple Mount.

A few dozens Palestinians also rioted with Molotov cockails. Four of them were arrested at the checkpoint of Qalandia, in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Residents of the West Bank have been barred from crossing into Jerusalem and Israel since the sealing of the Palestinian territories imposed Friday morning.

Israeli police deployed near 3,000 officers in East Jerusalem Friday to control possible riots.