G8 will strongly condemn NKorea tests: minister

G8 leaders meeting in Italy on Wednesday will issue a "strong message of condemnation" to North Korea over its latest missile tests, Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.

G8 leaders meeting in Italy on Wednesday will issue a "strong message of condemnation" to North Korea over its latest missile tests, Italy's Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said.

HT Image

Frattini was speaking to reporters during the summit in the earthquake-stricken city of L'Aquila.

Earlier, US President Barack Obama said it was important to pursue dialogue with Iran and North Korea to dissuade them from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The North test-fired seven ballistic missiles on Saturday in an act of defiance amid US efforts to try to tighten financial sanctions on the country.

The tests, apparently timed to coincided with the US Independence Day holiday, were its biggest salvo of ballistic weaponry since the same day in 2006.

Pyongyang carried out a nuclear test on May 25.