Israel to halt holy site repairs but continue excavations

JERUSALEM -- Israel has frozen contested building work near Jerusalem's most volatile holy site but pressed with archaeological excavations, triggering further Muslim outcry.

Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski decided to suspend the work to allow public discussion of Israel's plans to replace a damaged wooden bridge leading to the Al-Aqsa mosque compound with a stone ramp.

Protests by Palestinian worshippers descended into several days of violence in Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank and there were also demonstrations across the Islamic world.