US Joins UN's Israel Withdrawal Vote

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United States joined in a Security Council vote Saturday calling on Israel to withdraw its troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah, where Yasser Arafat (news - web sites)'s headquarters have been under attack.

It was the second time in a month that the United States voted with the Council for a Middle East resolution after years of abstaining and vetoing council measures that were critical of Israel. On March 13, the United States voted with the council calling for a Palestinian state.

The 14-0 vote capped a marathon emergency council session called at the request of the Palestinians as Israeli troops raided Arafat's West Bank headquarters. Syria, which opposes peace with Israel, abstained from the vote.

The council resolution called on "both parties to move immediately to a meaningful cease-fire; calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah; and calls upon the parties to cooperate fully with (U.S.) Special Envoy (Anthony) Zinni" to work to get a cease-fire and start negotiation for a political settlement.