Clashes by Jerusalem Holy Site Continue

An Israeli police officer, right, calls for reinforcements during clashes with Palestinian stone throwers in the narrow alleyways of east Jerusalem's Old City, Friday, Feb. 9, 2007. (Oded Balilty - AP)

The Israelis say the purpose of the construction project is to build a new walkway leading to the mount to replace a ramp that was damaged in a 2004 snowstorm. But the Palestinians say the excavations are actually attempts to damage their shrines.

Israeli officials reject that accusation and say they are not digging under the compound since the work is about 200 feet away from the mount.

The Arab League chief said Saturday the dig reflects "Israeli attempts" to tighten control over Jerusalem and urged the international community to intercede.

"There are plans to change the features of the city," Amr Moussa said in a statement distributed to the Arab representatives at an emergency League meeting in Cairo. The statement said the construction "is threatening the security and stability in the region."

Jordan and Egypt _ Israel's sole Arab peace partners and key U.S. allies in the region _ have demanded the Jewish state stop the work, as did Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Malaysia, which chairs the 57-member Organization of Islamic Conference, urged the international community to intervene immediately to stop the "illegal activities."

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Associated Press writer Maggie Michael in Cairo contributed to this report.