RABAT, February 23, 2007 (WAFA) - Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, underlined that the issue of Al-Qods (Jerusalem) is extremely sensitive for the Muslim world.

In his reply to the urgent letter sent to him last week by the Director General of ISESCO, the UN Secretary General stated: "the Old City of Jerusalem is a place of deep significance for the Muslim, Jewish and Christian faiths."

He added that "it is our firm belief that the status of the Old City and the religious sites within it are extremely sensitive final status issues that can only be resolved through negotiations."

The UN Secretary General called upon the parties to apply the Security Council resolutions 242 and 428 and refrain from establishing or asserting facts on the ground.

Mr. Ban Ki-moon mentioned in his letter, which was signed on his behalf by Ibrahim A. Gambari, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, that the universal value of the Old City of Jerusalem and the necessity to eschew actions that could lead to tensions were reaffirmed in the statement issued by the Director General of UNESCO, which the Secretary General fully supported.

A.D (18:45 P) (16:45 GMT)