Steinmeier due in Jerusalem

A far-right Jewish campaign for prayer rights at an East Jerusalem mosque reserved for Muslims is expected to dominate talks on Sunday between Steinmeier and Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Steinmeier (pictured next to vehicle) visited Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas in the West Bank town of Ramallah on Saturday and told all sides that "this political conflict cannot be allowed to become a religious conflict."

Flashpoint site

The conflict centers on the flashpoint site known to Jews as Temple Mount and Muslims as the Al-Aqsa Mosque - part of a compound supervised by Jordan.

On Friday, Israel lifted restrictions on Muslims praying at the mosque, a day after US Secretary of State John Kerry, while visiting Amman, said there had been agreement on confidence-building measures.

For decades, Jews have only been allowed to visit the site - via an allotted route - but not pray. Far-right Jews had campaigned for rights to pray as well.

In recent weeks, the tensions led to violent scenes, including stabbings and stone-throwing protests.

Reduce tensions, urges Steinmeier

On Saturday, Germany's chief diplomat said tensions must be reduced so that negotiations could be re-opened.

"There is no alternative to negotiations to reach a two-state solution … a Palestinian state living in peace and security alongside Israel," Steinmeier said.

On Sunday, he is also due to meet Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liebermann and chief Israeli negotiator Tzipi Livni.

ipj/msh (dpa, AFP)