The United Nations is under pressure to help stop violence in the Middle East. The security council has called a special session later in the week to discuss expanding a 2,000-strong force currently monitoring the “Blue Line” separating Israel
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will urge the council to consider proposals for calming the crisis. He is expected to push for an international contingent stationed on the Israel-Lebanon border. A UN delegation to the region is due back in New York late on Thursday.