The UN Security Council was to meet again today to weigh an Arab call for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in the Gaza Strip and for protection of Palestinian civilians, diplomats said.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the 15-member body this month, was to chair Tuesday's meeting, scheduled for 5pm (2200 GMT), according to France's UN Ambassador to the UN Jean-Maurice Ripert.