UN chief to meet Arab leaders over Gaza

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the divided Security Council to work toward a speedy end to the escalating crisis in Gaza and planned to meet today with Arab ministers flying to New York to press for an immediate halt to the violence.

Late on Saturday, the United States blocked approval of a Security Council statement calling for an immediate ceasefire and expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence after Israeli tanks and artillery began a ground assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, council diplomats said.