UNITED NATIONS, April 19: The UN Security Council convened an emergency public meeting on Monday at the request of Arab nations furious over Israel's assassination of a top leader of Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The United States was headed for another showdown over its unflagging support of Israel as the Arab bloc planned to present a draft council resolution condemning the killing of Abdelaziz Rantissi on Saturday.

Washington used its veto power to block a similar resolution in late March after Israel assassinated Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the Hamas founder. The United States says any such resolutions must also criticise Hamas attacks on Israel. In addition to fury over its use of the veto to support its close ally, the United States is facing anger over a shift in longstanding US policy on the Middle East.

US President George W. Bush last week signalled that Israel should be allowed to keep some parts of the West Bank after any peace deal with the Palestinians. He also agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon that Palestinian refugees should not be allowed to return to what is now Israel. -AFP