Denmark: Talks to continue on efforts to halt Gaza arms smuggling

Feb 5, 2009, 14:28 GMT

Copenhagen - Officials from some 10 countries concluded a two-day meeting Thursday on how to prevent arms smuggling to Gaza, the Danish foreign ministry said.

The meeting was organized in conjunction with the United States to review how international help could be offered to prevent weapons smuggling, legal issues as well as charting routes used by smugglers.

The delegates agreed to meet again in March in London, but did not announce measures such as patrolling the waters in the eastern Mediterranean.

Describing the talks as 'very useful,' Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller said he was 'pleased that Denmark has taken part in launching an international process that hopefully can contribute to a long term and lasting ceasefire to the benefit of Israel and the civilian population in Gaza.'

Preventing the flow of arms to Hamas-controlled Gaza was one of the conditions Israel demanded on ending its 22-day offensive on Gaza last month.

Participating countries included the US, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway.

Diplomatic sources said Israel participated as an observer while Egypt did not send any delegate.