Israel 'couldn't dream of a better neighbour' than Jordan

Israel's ambassador in Jordan, Daniel Nevo, has said that strategic relations between the neighbours are developing.

He said that it would be impossible for Israel to "dream of a neighbouring country better than Jordan."

Nevo was speaking during a Thursday morning interview on Israeli radio ahead of the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Israel-Jordan peace agreement on 26 October 1994.

He also sought to play down recent criticisms by Jordan, which have centred on Israel's policies at the sacred site of al-Aqsa in Jerusalem.

Jordan's Foreign Minister last week urged the international community to put pressure on Israel to stop illegal practices and violations at the site, which has for decades been a flashpoint for tension between Arabs and Israelis.

This morning it was announced that Israeli authorities will be continuing to restrict access to the mosque, considered the third holiest site by many Muslims - no men under the age of 40 will be allowed to access al-Aqsa.

Despite recent public criticisms, Israel and Jordan have important ties.

Jordan is one of only a handful of Middle Eastern countries to have full diplomatic relations with Israel, and in September it was announced that an Israeli company was to become Jordan's largest supplier of natural gas, signing a 15-year contract.