UNITED NATIONS - A DIVIDED UN Security Council weighed the Gaza conflict on Wednesday, facing two competing texts on prospects for an immediate ceasefire in Israel's 12-day Gaza military onslaught.

With Gaza medics reporting more than 700 Palestinians killed, Libya, the lone Arab member of the 15-member council, insisted on an early vote on a draft resolution 'that demands an immediate end' to the Israeli offensive that was launched to stop rocket fire by Palestinian militants.

But a rival non-binding statement circulated by France, which chairs the council this month, would merely stress 'the urgent need for an immediate and durable ceasefire' and would welcome the truce initiative unveiled by Egypt on Tuesday.

'There is no unanimity on either of these texts,' France's UN ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert said. 'We have decided to continue our discussions.'

US Ambassador to the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad said that the non-binding statement was 'the best way to proceed' and enjoyed 'broad support'.

But for such a statement to be approved it must have the support of all 15 council members.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said Arab foreign ministers came to New York to get the Security Council to 'take immediate action to end the hostilities in Gaza'.

Arab ministers want a vote on the Libyan draft, which requires nine votes and no veto from the council's five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - for passage.

A diplomat said the Arab ministers did not want to return home empty-handed and face the wrath of their public opinion.

'We hope that the council will be ready to vote on the text tomorrow,' a diplomat quoted the Libyan delegate as saying during closed-door council consultations.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her French and British counterparts spent most of the day locked in intensive bargaining with their Arab colleagues to try to reach a compromise.

'Of course, we are very much applauding the efforts of a number of states, particularly the efforts that (Egyptian) President (Hosni) Mubarak has undertaken,' Rice told reporters on her way to a meeting with UN chief Ban Ki-moon. 'We are supporting that initiative.' 'I have been in very close discussions with my Arab colleagues but also with the Israelis about the importance of moving that initiative forward,' she added.

'We are also talking about how the Council can best support the effective action that could be taken on the ground.'

On Tuesday after talks with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy, Mubarak presented a three-point proposal for ending Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza.

The Mubarak plan included an 'immediate ceasefire for a specific period' to allow humanitarian aid to pass; an invitation to Israel and the Palestinians to come to Egypt for talks on securing Gaza borders, reopening of its crossings and lifting an Israeli blockade.

Egypt's UN envoy Maged Abdelaziz said the key was for Israel to accept the Egyptian initiative and to declare a ceasefire.

He said the Arab group was considering amendments to its draft resolution but found the French-drafted statement unacceptable.

'It is the responsibility of the Security Council to help to end any conflict as soon as it arises. And the current conflict in Gaza should be no exception,' Mr Faisal said.

'If the Security Council takes no action... that certainly raises questions about its credibility.'

The French text would stress 'the urgent need for an immediate and durable ceasefire' which would 'require arrangements and guarantees, including the securing of the border to prevent illegal trade and the reopening of crossing points.'

It would also call for 'immediate and full humanitarian access including unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance' and demand that 'the Palestinian and Israeli populations be protected'.

The Libyan draft demands an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip with a cessation of all military activities and violence, including Israeli military operations and the firing of rockets, and the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces to positions held prior to December 27, 2008.

It also calls for the immediate lifting of the 18-month Israeli blockade on Gaza and for the reopening of Gaza's border crossings with Israel and Egypt.

The Libyan text also calls for the 'establishment and deployment of an international observer force to monitor implementation of the ceasefire, to ensure protection and safety of the Palestinian civilian population'. -- AFP