West, Arabs reach deal on UN Gaza resolution

Published: 11:06AM Friday January 09, 2009 Source: Reuters

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Western powers and Arab states reached agreement on Friday on a draft Security Council resolution that would call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Arab and Western diplomats said.

"In principle there is an agreement," Arab League UN envoy Yahya Mahmassani told reporters after a day of negotiations. Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour said, "Yes, we have a deal" and a Western diplomat said, "Apparently there is an agreement."

The Security Council scheduled closed-door consultations for 5.00pm EST/2200 GMT.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the council would vote on the draft on Friday, but the Western diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said the vote could be delayed until Saturday.

Diplomats said the resolution would call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel attacked on December 27 in a bid to stamp out rocket fire by Palestinian militants against southern Israel.

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