New York: (Agencies: 1/1/2009): The UN Security Council has discussed a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire to halt the Israeli-Palestinian violence.
But the meeting failed to vote on the Libyan draft after ambassadors from the US and UK said it contained nothing about Palestinian attacks on Israel.
The draft condemned Israel’s military action and called on it to cease.
In New York, the Palestinian envoy to the UN, Rijad Mansour, demanded a binding resolution to secure an immediate truce.
But the Israeli ambassador, Gabriela Shalev, said her country would continue to do whatever necessary to protect itself against what she called terrorism.
The US ambassador at the UN – who as one of the permanent Security Council members can veto any resolution – said that he believed it was up to Israel and Hamas themselves to agree to a ceasefire, and that the UN should not impose one.
The UN Security Council meeting on the eve of the new year was convened at the request of the Arab League.
Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo want a binding UN resolution to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a lifting of the Israeli blockade of the territory.
FThe UN Security Council meeting on the eve of the new year was convened at the request of the Arab League.
Arab League foreign ministers meeting in Cairo want a binding UN resolution to ensure an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a lifting of the Israeli blockade of the territory.
France‘s President Sarkozy said he would travel to the Middle East on Monday because "France’s duty was to look everywhere for the roadmap towards peace".
He will first meet Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Paris on Thursday.
In the last five days, Israeli jets and attack helicopters have hit Hamas targets, including security compounds, government buildings, smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt and homes belonging to militant leaders.
Palestinian officials say 391 Palestinians have died in the Israeli air strikes; four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza, which is under Hamas control. The southern Israeli town of Beersheba was hit, the deepest penetration by rockets so far.
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