Israel under renewed pressure to withdraw from West Bank

The United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia have called, with one voice, for Israel to withdraw immediately from the Palestinian territories and for both sides in the Middle East conflict to declare an immediate ceasefire.

Speaking in Madrid, UN secretary general Kofi Annan said: "We call for an immediate, meaningful ceasefire and an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah, specifically including Chairman [Yasser] Arafat’s headquarters.