United Nations: The Security Council members joined the worldwide outcry against Israeli decision to expel Palestinian Authority president Yaseer Arafat from Palestine but rebuffed its citizens' demand that they quickly adopt a resolution asking Israel not to expel their leader and halt any threat to his safety.

The 15-member Council, which held consultations on a draft resolution late September 12, adjourned without taking any decision on it. Instead, it set an open debate for September 15, contending the issue requires more discussion. In an open discussion, non-Council members too can take part.

After the closed-door meeting, Council president Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry of Britain read out a consensus statement that said the Council members expressed the view that removal of Arafat would be "unhelpful" and "should not be implemented".

But he said the resolution had not been introduced.

Apparently, members wanted more time to consider the draft as, diplomats said, they felt that a hasty vote could draw a veto from the United States, Israel's closest ally, who was not happy with some parts. However, under strong pressure from Arabs, the members took the interim step of agreeing to issue a statement with a language to which all agreed.

The Council met at the request of Arab states and 116-member Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) who had sought the emergency session and demanded that it quickly vote on the resolution.

PTI