U.S. presses for halt to Mideast violence

More than 20 were treated for shock and injuries sustained in the blasts

JERUSALEM -- The new senior U.S. diplomat to the Middle East has condemned car bombings that rocked central Jerusalem Sunday.

More than 20 people were treated for shock and two were hit with flying glass after a car bomb exploded at around 9 a.m (0600 GMT).

The car was packed with explosives, including mortar shells and bullets.

The initial blast threw smaller explosive devices throughout the area. Hezbollah TV reported that Islamic Jihad had taken responsibility for the blast.

Eight-and-a-half hours earlier, another car bomb exploded nearby in an area crowded with mostly young people. There were no casualties. In a faxed message to CNN, the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Senior U.S. diplomat William Burns met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in the West Bank city of Ramallah Sunday and urged him to do everything possible to stop attacks.

AUDIO CNN's Ben Wedeman: Israel's policy of restraint can't go on for long if bombings continue 354K/33 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    VIDEO A car bomb ripped through a crowded area in central Jerusalem early Saturday night (May 26) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) A car bomb exploded friday evening in a Palestinian refugee camp near Nablus killing one and injuring three (May 26) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     ALSO Muslim states take stand against Israel

Burns was appointed by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell after the publication of the Mitchell report Monday into the deadly unrest that has cost the lives of more than 500 people -- the vast majority of them Palestinian.

"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attacks that have taken place and in my discussions with Chairman Arafat urged that he do everything possible to stop such attacks," he told reporters.

Burns met the Palestinian leader for two hours at his West Bank headquarters and said he would urge Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to maintain Israeli restraint at a meeting later Sunday.

The Mitchell report calls for an immediate ceasefire, Palestinian steps to rein in militants and a freeze on Jewish settlements.

CNN's Ben Wedeman says the continuing violence shows that Burns has "a huge task ahead of him."

He said Sunday's bombs had been packed with mortars and nails in an apparent attempt to maximise casualties.

Israeli police are also investigating reports that two Palestinians were injured in an incident near a Jewish settlement.

Actions such as the car bombings have previously been followed by Israeli military attacks on Palestinian targets, but earlier this week Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon implemented what he called a unilateral cease-fire.

Palestinians have dismissed the initiative as a propaganda ploy.