S Arabia denies report of demolishing Prophet's birthplace

New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) Saudi Arabia has denied reoports that it intends to ''demolish the birth place of Prophet Mohammed'' in Mecca and build a residential and commercial complex in its place.

''It is not correct to belive that the present building is the birth place of Prophet Mohammed, as it is a new structure constructed only 56 years ago. It is not considered an ancient building. The building is not the house of the Prophet though a part of it encompasses the site of the original house,'' a Saudi Embassay release said.

Muslims lodged a protest at the Embassay when a foreign news agency report stated that the authorities planned to demolish the Prophet's house.

''Since the building needs to be renovated, the authorities are contemplating to recosntruct it in a way that befits the honour of the place and its proximity to the holy mosque and Al-Haram Library,'' the release added.

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