AMMAN, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel not to take any unilateral action against Al Maghrabi Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem that may alter its character and state of affairs, Jordan's official news agency Petra reported on Tuesday.

    The UN chief made the call in a letter sent to Jordan's Foreign Minister Salaheddin Al-Bashir in response to his earlier letter on Israeli excavations in the gate in Jerusalem, according to Petra.

    Ban Ki-moon said in the letter that he was aware of the circumstances surrounding the proposed excavation to the Maghrabi Gate and he fully understood the Jordanian concern about that.

    "I will write to Israeli prime minister to emphasize that Jerusalem is an issue of importance and sensitivity to the Arab and Muslim world, and that it remains an issue for permanent status negotiations between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organization," said the UN chief.

    Ban also urged Israel to continue to work with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)and its World Heritage Committee in a transparent process that leads to a solution that is mutually acceptable to Israel and Jordan, taking into account the views of the Palestinians.

    In August, Raef Nejem, Vice President of the Restoration Committee of Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock, noted that Israel has a plan to build a steel bridge at the Maghareba Gate, which he said would destroy the Islamic antiquities in the area.

    Jordan's royal Hashemite family traces their ancestry back to the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and has long posed as guardian of the Islamic faith and the holy city of Jerusalem.