Talks end clash at holy site

Jerusalem: An Israeli-Arab legislator helped negotiate an end to a standoff between Palestinians and Israeli police following a riot in Jerusalem's Old City.

Israeli police on Friday used stun grenades to disperse stone-throwing protesters angry at Israeli construction work near the Al Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest shrine. The compound is sacred to Muslims and Jews.

Construction work began on Tuesday to replace a damaged ramp leading to the holy site, drawing fierce protests in the Arab world, with leaders accusing Israel of plotting to harm Muslim holy sites.

Clashes began around midday following Friday prayers. Police and medical sources said that at least 15 Israeli officers and 20 Palestinians were wounded in the clashes.

Witnesses said that Israeli troops locked thousands of other worshippers in the mosque as a security precaution when the clashes erupted.

"Basically we are hostages because we are held against our will inside the mosque," Professor Mostafa Abu Sway told Al Jazeera at the time.

Talab El Sana, an Israeli-Arab member of Israel's parliament, was inside the compound at the time and helped strike an agreement with police to end the violence.

El Sana asked police to allow Palestinians locked inside the mosque to leave if they left quietly. Police agreed.