The United States joined other UN Security Council members today in adopting a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Ramallah and other Palestinian cities.
The resolution was approved by a vote of 14 to 0, with Syria not attending the meeting in protest and leaving its seat empty, a rarity in the council. It had submitted its own resolution against Israel.
The US vote represents a change of position from yesterday's comments by US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell, who expressed sympathy with Israel's decision to respond militarily after a series of attacks on Israeli civilians.
The resolution, proposed by Council President Mr Ole Peter Kolby of Norway, was negotiated after a marathon emergency debate called by Arab nations in response to Israeli troops and tanks besieging Palestinian leader Mr Yasser Arafat's compound in the West Bank town of Ramallah.
It says Israelis and Palestinians should move immediately to a meaningful ceasefire and calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah.
The resolution expresses grave concern at recent suicide bombings in Israel and the military attack against Mr Arafat's Palestinian Authority headquarters.