Responding to a Palestinian request, the U.N Security Council scheduled rare consultations on the Middle East Thursday, with Arab nations demanding Israel be condemned for escalating attacks against civilians and the Palestinian Authority. Israel this week hit Palestinian targets across the West Bank and Gaza Strip from air, land and sea in fierce reprisal raids, killing 18 Palestinians and striking close to President Yasser Arafat's office while he was in it. An open meeting may be held later in the day, diplomats said, but they doubted any vote would take place soon.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!