US isolated at Mid-East talks

The United Nations, the European Union and Russia have rejected Washington's call to remove Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, and questioned its decision to place security for Israelis above all other goals in the region.

At a meeting of the quartet in New York to draft a common approach towards Middle East peace, leading international representatives made clear their reservations over US policy in the region.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and EU representatives met US Secretary of State Colin Powell as fresh violence erupted in the region.

Eight Israelis died and at least 20 were injured in an attack outside a Jewish settlement, an assault which indicated that Israel's re-occupation of Palestinian territories was failing to fulfil its stated aim of providing its citizens with security.

It was the first high profile meeting of the quartet since President George W Bush made a new Middle East policy statement last month, and it left the US clearly isolated on two key issues.

While Mr Bush indicated that there should only be a Palestinian state after the Palestinians got rid of Mr Arafat - their democratically elected leader - Washington's quartet partners said they would continue to work with him.

"The UN still recognises Chairman Arafat and will continue to deal with him until the Palestinians decide otherwise," said Mr Annan at a news conference after discussions with Mr Powell.

His comments were echoed by Mr Ivanov and the Danish Foreign Minister, Per Stig Moeller, both of whom stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of the Palestinian people.

The foreign ministers of Jordan and Egypt, who met the quartet for separate round of talks, also criticised US attempts to sideline Mr Arafat.

"The issue is not the person of Mr Arafat, but the occupation." said Jordanian Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher.