Cairo, Sep 17 (IANS): Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi on Wednesday said they censured the Israel's "brutal assault" on the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem and urged United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon and the international community to respond effectively.

In a telephone conversation with Ban, Al-Arabi expressed his discontent after the arrival of Israeli security forces and their assault on worshipers inside the holy place on Sunday.

He stressed that the UNSC should face up to its responsibilities to preserve peace and security in the world, in compliance with international resolutions, reports Efe.

Al Arabi also urged the international community to take an "effective stance" to deal with Israeli attacks.

Violent clashes have erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinians since Sunday, the eve of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), when thousands of Jewish worshipers headed to pray at the Wailing Wall in the immediate vicinity of the Esplanade of Mosques.

The Esplanade hosts the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest mosque in Islam, and is located in East Jerusalem, which is claimed by Palestinians as the capital of their future state.