Johannesburg - South African President Kgalema Motlanthe on Friday criticized the United Nations Security Council over the crisis in the Middle East and said the world body was in need of "urgent reform" to ensure that it becomes more representative.

"The problem is that if a country has powerful friends on the Security Council, they can sometimes act with impunity," Motlanthe told the weekly Mail and Guardian newspaper.

"All you have to do is listen to the minister of foreign affairs or defence of Israel to know that you are dealing with people who believe they can cock a snook with impunity," he added.

Oslo - Norwegian police Friday said some 30 protesters, including several minors, were arrested after counter-protesters attacked a pro-Israel rally.

Police said a dozen people were likely to be charged for assaulting police officers or damaging property on Thursday evening.

At least five police officers were injured in the scuffles or by stones, and police also seized firebombs and knives.

The public rally in support of Israel was held outside parliament, and was attended by several hundred people.

Speakers included Siv Jensen, leader of the opposition, populist Progressive Party.

After the rally, there were scuffles and some counter-protesters also fired fireworks at police, who responded with teargas.

Gaza/Tel Aviv  - Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was due to convene his inner security cabinet Friday morning to discuss Israel's response to the United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The cabinet could decide whether to accept the resolution or expand its Gaza offensive to "phase three" - sending more ground troops deeper into populated areas.

New York - The Gaza resolution adopted Thursday by the UN Security Council "stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire leading to the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza."

The resolution's main points:

"Calls for the unimpeded provisions and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical treatment.

"Welcomes the initiatives aimed at creating and opening humanitarian corridors and other mechanisms for the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid.

New York  - Saudi Arabia and Britain said late Thursday that a final text on the Gaza conflict was agreed on by Western and Arab nations, and they expect a vote soon by the UN Security Council in New York, after diplomats spent three days forging the language.

Prince Saud al-Faisal, the Saudi foreign minister, called the compromise "a historic event," speaking to reporters late Thursday following hours of negotiations between the two sides.

Tel Aviv/Gaza  - An Israeli soldier died Thursday during fighting in the Gaza Strip, the third military death within 24 hours, an Israeli military spokesman said in Tel Aviv.

Earlier, an Israeli infantry officer, was hit and killed Thursday morning by an anti-tank rocket fired by militants, and a tank sergeant was shot to death by a sniper in the afternoon.

Thursday's casualties bring the Israel military toll since Saturday's invasion to nine dead.