Jordan's King Abdullah II has announced the launch of a competition to design a fifth minaret for Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque - Islam's third holiest shrine.

"Jordan will build a fifth minaret at the blessed Al-Aqsa mosque," King Abdullah II said at a meeting of the state committee that has continued to oversee the maintenance of the shrine since Jordan's 1948-67 administration of east Jerusalem.

He announced the launch of a "competition for the design of a fifth minaret at Al-Aqsa Mosque that reflects the Islamic significance and sanctity of the mosque".

Jordan retained custodial responsibility for the mosque compound, even after it gave up all claims to the West Bank in 1988, and co-ordinates its work with the Palestinian Authority.

Over the years Jordan has carried out repair and renovation work at the compound, including the reconstruction of the Dome of the Rock's interior and the renovation of the dome itself.

There are currently four minarets at the mosque - Bab al-Asbat, Al Fakhria, Al Ghawanmeh and Bab al- Silsilah. The fifth minaret will be situated near the Golden Door and Bab al-Asbat, a royal court statement said.