With the apparent failure of the US peace mission to the Middle East, world attention now turns back to the UN Security Council as a possible mediator, arbitrator and peacemaker, writes Deaglán de Breádun, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, in New York
The UN secretary general, Mr Kofi Annan, is to brief the council this morning on his views about the way forward.
In the past week he has sent out different signals, at one point appearing to favour a multinational peacemaking force, at another a much smaller contingent of international observers.
In a message sent to a UN conference in Cyprus on peace in the Middle East, he said he was increasingly of the view that "third-party mechanisms on the ground" were required to guarantee the legitimate security concerns of the Israelis on the one hand, and the political aspirations of the Palestinians on the other.
"Such a mechanism could take the shape of international monitors of a ceasefire."
But he clearly had a more robust force with a stronger mandate in mind for the Middle East when he told reporters during a visit to Geneva last weekend: "I think the proposition that a force should be sent in there to create a secure environment, as well as provide space for diplomatic and political negotiations, can no longer be deferred."
Stressing the need for the force he added: "It is urgent; it is imperative. That capacity exists in the world today; we must now muster the will."
Mr Annan explained later he was talking about a force which would enable assistance to reach those in need, end the killing and create the conditions for political and diplomatic talks.
While he was originally expected to explain his position to the council on Tuesday or Wednesday, the briefing was postponed until today, presumably to avoid distractions from the Middle East visit by the US Secretary of State, Mr Colin Powell.
The concept of a multinational force has received support from the Muslim countries who make up the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.
However, speaking on Israeli military radio yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon, said the force "could be dangerous" for Israel.
Amid continuing humanitarian concerns about the situation in the Jenin refugee camp, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, has renewed her appeal to the Israeli government to let her travel to the country on a fact-finding mission.
"It is important that the visiting mission should be able to leave as soon as possible," she said in a statement.
The secretary general's spokesman, Mr Fred Eckhard, said in New York that Mr Annan had been in touch with Mrs Robinson on the matter.
"His hope is that the Israeli authorities will co-operate with her visit and that they will allow that visit to take place quickly and we hope it will happen very soon," he said.