Israeli PM vows to stop religious provocations

The Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, has promised forceful action against anyone attempting to offend Muslims and instigate a religious war.

He was commenting on the detention of two right-wing Jewish activists accused of planning a provocation at the Temple Mount Islamic shrine in Jerusalem, apparently by throwing a pig's head into the complex.

Mr Netanyahu did not specify exactly what the government might do.

Earlier, the Palestinian Authority called on Israel to confiscate the weapons of Jewish settlers to prevent aggression by those it said were intent on destroying the peace process.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service