Russia Proposes UN Council Mideast Trip

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The Russian ambassador to the U.N. has proposed that Security Council members travel to the Middle East amid stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and an ongoing protest in Egypt.

Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told reporters that he made the proposal during consultations late Thursday afternoon.

Churkin says details of the trip still must be worked out, and the countries to be visited and the messages to be sent must be carefully considered. He notes that the 15-member council charged with international peace and security has not visited the Mideast since 1979.