US walks out of racism conference

The US has walked out of the World Conference Against Racism after failure to reach a compromise over moves to condemn Israel and Zionism.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell issued a statement denouncing language proposed for the UN meeting's final declaration which condemned Israel.

Israel has also withdrawn its delegation, said Foreign Minister Shimon Peres.

US delegate Tom Lantos, a Democratic congressman said he expected several other nations to also withdraw from the conference in Durban, South Africa.

"All attempts to reach a compromise have failed," Mr Lantos said.

Norway and Canada are attempting to mediate a compromise between the Arab states and Israel on the conference's draft declaration.

Both delegations have threatened to leave the conference if the language in the declaration is not changed.

Earlier, Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said only a balanced declaration on the Middle East, acceptable to everybody, will be taken seriously.

Mr Moussa said Arab states are seriously working towards compromise.