U.N. Ambassador Says Agreement in Principle on Security Council Resolution on Gaza

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Western powers and Arab states have reached an agreement in principle on a draft Security Council resolution that would call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the Arab League U.N. envoy said on Thursday.

"In principle there is an agreement," Ambassador Yahya Mahmassani told reporters after a day of negotiations.

West, Arabs reach deal on UN Gaza resolution

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Western powers and Arab states reached agreement on Thursday on a draft Security Council resolution that would call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, Arab and Western diplomats said.

"In principle there is an agreement," Arab League U.N. envoy Yahya Mahmassani told reporters after a day of negotiations. Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour said, "Yes, we have a deal" and a Western diplomat said, "Apparently there is an agreement."

The Security Council scheduled closed-door consultations for 5.00 p.m. EST/2200 GMT.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the council would vote on the draft on Thursday, but the Western diplomat, who asked not to be identified, said the vote could be delayed until Friday.

Diplomats said the resolution would call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which Israel attacked on Dec. 27 in a bid to stamp out rocket fire by Palestinian militants against southern Israel.