UNITED NATIONS, Jan 7 (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council was divided over how to approach the Gaza crisis on Wednesday, failing to agree either a resolution or a statement to press for a ceasefire.

French Ambassador Jean-Maurice Ripert, speaking as president of the council, told reporters the 15 members would continue consultations in an effort to reach a common position on how to end violence between Israel and Hamas.

Council member Libya has proposed a resolution urging an immediate ceasefire but it is opposed by the United States and others who say it is anti-Israeli. France, the United States and Britain have proposed a less formal statement.

Arab governments have urged the Security Council to act to end the crisis, saying its credibility is at stake.

"There is no unanimity today on either of those texts and because we want to go forward in a common approach we have decided to continue our talks and our negotiations," Ripert told reporters outside the council. (Reporting by Claudia Parsons, editing by Jackie Frank)

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