His Majesty King Abdullah emphasised on Monday that Jordan will exert all possible efforts to protect the holy sites in Jerusalem in line with its historic role in overseeing and safeguarding these sacred places.

At a meeting with visiting UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura, King Abdullah pinpointed Jordan's rejection of any Israeli steps that would affect the Islamic identity of Bab Al Magharbeh, which UNESCO considers "a humanitarian and cultural heritage whose features should not be altered”.

Also Monday, Matsuura took part in the opening of the international centre for "Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East”, better known as SESAME.

King Abdullah voiced his appreciation for UNESCO's support in creating the centre, which serves as a channel of cooperation among countries in the field of scientific research and applications.

King Abdullah laid the foundation stone for the project in January 2003.