The U.N. Security Council has held an emergency session to discuss the alarming rise of violence in the Middle East. 

Arab countries asked for the meeting, at which delegates talked about possible solutions to the situation, but reached no agreements. 

The Palestinians' U.N. observer, Nasser al Kidwa, said Israel's entry to Yasser Arafat's compound was an unprecedented attack, and marked the start of Israel re-occupying Palestinian territory. He said if Israel took what he called the "ultimate crazy step" - killing Mr. Arafat - it would be "the mother of all mistakes." 

Israel's representative said Israel was compelled to act because Mr. Arafat had failed to rein in terrorists. He said Israel cannot walk alone on the path toward a cease-fire. 

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged both sides to halt their attacks. 

World leaders have been sharply critical of Israel's entry into the Ramallah compound. Arab countries condemned the operation Friday, with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak calling on the United States to intervene quickly. 

In Ankara, Turkey called in Israel's ambassador late Friday to tell him Israeli actions in Ramallah were unacceptable. Turkey has long been Israel's closest Muslim ally. 

Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Israel's policy of isolating Mr. Arafat is not the way toward a political solution of the crisis. French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine said he understands Israel's anger at Palestinian attacks, but that a solution will not be found by massive retaliation and isolation of Mr. Arafat. 

European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged both sides to declare a ceasefire and seize the opportunity offered by this week's Arab summit endorsement of Saudi peace proposals. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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