It called for international action to stop acts that prevent peace in the region.

Councillors said in a statement read by council secretary-general Abduljalil Al Tareef at the opening of yesterday's weekly session that police attacks on Palestinians in and around the fiercely contested holy site should not be tolerated.

Israeli police stepped up security around the mosque compound after several people were wounded in the clashes that started after Muslim worshippers threw stones at a group of visitors they believed were Jewish extremists.

The council said that Israel had clearly breached international conventions that it was obliged to respect.

It said that the attack clearly showed that Israel doesn't want to go ahead with the peace process.

"Israel is continuing its insults against the Palestinian nation and the feelings of Muslims," councillors said in the statement.

"It is time for all Arab and Islamic governments, in addition to Arab and Islamic organisations and people, to take a stand against such atrocities.

"The world should be aware that Israel is the threat to peace and stability in the region with their disrespect for Jerusalem and their acts of mass murder."