Trade talks continue amid "encouraging signs": WTO

GENEVA (Reuters) - Global trade talks which had appeared on the brink of collapse were advancing amid "encouraging signs of progress" on Friday afternoon, World Trade Organization spokesman Keith Rockwell said.

A meeting of seven key ministers, which lasted about five hours, had ended in a "a spirit of cooperation" and talks on the 'Doha' trade liberalization round would now return to a bigger group of about 35 ministers at 6 p.m. (1400 GMT), Rockwell said.

(Reporting by Robin Pomeroy)