The United States Government considers the fire that damaged the El Aksa Mosque in Jerusalem “regrettable and deplorable” and is counselling restraint to all parties concerned, State Department spokesman Robert McCloskey said today. In a comment on a statement by President Nasser of Egypt calling for a holy war against Israel, the spokesman noted that every statement and action carries with it the possibility of worsening an already bad situation.
Mr. McCloskey stressed that the United States was “deeply concerned” and was trying to reduce tensions arising from the fire. He said the United States did not have sufficient information on the cause of the fire.
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