Jerusalem, Dec. 22 (Reuters): Radical worshippers assaulted Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Maher in the al Aqsa mosque in JerusalemÕs Old City today and he was rushed to hospital, witnesses, police and security guards said.
Initial reports said Maher, 68, was physically beaten and taken unconscious to hospital but witnesses and police later said he was accosted, jostled and possibly struck several times by a hostile mob shouting ÒAllah-u- AkbarÓ (God is Great).
The mob shouted ÒtraitorÓ and ÒcollaboratorÓ at Maher and threw shoes they had doffed for prayers at his entourage and at Israeli police taking him out of the mosque to safety.
Television footage of the incident showed Maher, pale and struggling for breath, being escorted out of the mosque by police and bodyguards through a screaming crowd. Israeli medics said Maher, who had just completed talks on West Asia peace issues with Israeli leaders, was treated for shortness of breath and was in good condition.
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