End Arafat siege now, Annan tells Israel

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged Israel to stop its assault on Yasser Arafat’s headquarters, saying destroying it will not bring peace.

A resolution introduced by Norway at an emergency UN Security Council session in New York last night demanded an Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah, home of Arafat’s compound. A council vote was possible today.