UNITED NATIONS , March 02 , SPA --The U.N. Security Council issued amedia statement early Sunday condemning the escalation offighting in southern Israel and Gaza and urging Israelisand Palestinians «to immediately cease all acts ofviolence, AP reported The statement, though not a formal resolution, alsostressed that the violence «must not be allowed to deterthe political process between Israel and the PalestinianAuthority aimed at establishing two states _ Israel andPalestine _ living side by side in peace and security.» Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, delivered thesummary _ the result of a five-hour emergency councilmeeting held at the request of the Palestinians and theirArab supporters. Churkin, the current council president,said the summary for the media was agreed to by all 15council members. «Members of the Security Council are deeply concernedabout the loss of civilian life in southern Israel and Gazaand condemn the escalation of violence that has takenplace,» the summary said. «Members of the councilunderscore the need for all parties to immediately ceaseall acts of violence.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/532320