The UN Security Council is to hold an emergency session after North Korea's deadly artillery strike Tuesday on a South Korean border island, a French diplomatic source said.

   "A Council emergency session is being organised. France is very much in favour," the source said after the strike which killed two people and set off global alarm.

   World powers including the United States, Russia, Japan and Western Europe have condemned the strike, while China -- North Korea's sole major ally and economic prop -- has voiced concern.

   French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie earlier called on North Korea to end its provocations and firmly condemned the strike on the island of Yeonpyeong in the Yellow Sea.

   "France calls on North Korea to end (its) provocations and refrain from any new act that could lead to a worsening of regional tensions," she said in a statement.

(AFP)