Abbas, King Abdullah sign agreement on J'lem holy sites

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordan's King Abdullah on Sunday signed an agreement to defend Jerusalem and its holy sites, Palestinian Authority media reported. Abbas flew to Amman on Sunday for a meeting with King Abdullah at the Royal Palace, attended by the PA Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmud al-Habash and his Jordanian counterpart Muhammad Qudah. Habash told Wafa news agency that the agreement outlined coordination for the protection of all Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. The agreement confirmed Jordan's historic role in protecting sacred sites in Jerusalem, Habash said. It also confirmed Palestinian sovereignty over all of Palestine, including its capital East Jerusalem, the minister added. Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in a move never recognized by the international community.