UN steps up pressure on both sides in Mideast conflict

The UN Security Council put pressure on the Israeli and Palestinian envoys last night to step up diplomatic efforts to halt the bloodshed in the Middle East.

In two separate private sessions, proposed by Britain’s UN Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock, the council demanded to know why both governments have not implemented UN resolutions demanding an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian cities.

At the end of the sessions, the council agreed to an Arab request for an emergency open meeting on the conflict today.

The Palestinians are hoping this meeting will increase the pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops and tanks quickly.

A US-sponsored resolution adopted on March 12 endorsed a Palestinian state for the first time, demanded an immediate ceasefire, and called for renewed efforts by both parties to resume talks on a political settlement.

A Norwegian-sponsored resolution adopted on Saturday called on Israelis and Palestinians ‘‘to move immediately to a meaningful ceasefire.’’ It also called for ‘‘the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah,’’ where Yasser Arafat is under virtual house arrest.

The United States has made clear that it expects a ceasefire to come ahead of an Israeli troop withdrawal - a view echoed by Israel.

But UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the Norwegian ambassador and other council members insist there is no sequence to the actions demanded by the council, which are legally binding.

Mr Greenstock said the council now has a clearer idea of their real positions ‘‘and why they did not like the position of the other side.’’

Mexico’s UN Ambassador Adolfo Aguilar Zinser said many members urged Israel ‘‘to trust in the Security Council’s ability to respond to both sides’ legitimate needs in searching for a peace process that could be acceptable.

‘‘We really are - not in an unfriendly way - asking Israel what the hell it is doing here,’’ he said.