World News - "A group of exporting countries drummed up support on Tuesday to reach a deal soon in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) long-running Doha round as the best way to tackle protectionism in the economic crisis.

At a meeting of the WTO's General Council, several more countries signed up to or backed a document originally circulated on May 20 by 13 states, which sponsors hope will eventually be backed by all or nearly all the WTO's 153 members.

The document appeared as negotiators talk of a growing improvement in the political conditions for a new trade deal, even if the economic crisis looks set to sharpen protectionist tensions as output falls and unemployment rises. ..." [Reuters/Factiva]

Xinhua adds that "The multilateral trading system would have to face more severe pressure as protectionism might rise further due to the impact of the global economic crisis...WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy said. 'I personally believe ... that the 'stress test' of the multilateral trading system is still to come,' Lamy told WTO members at a meeting of the body's General Council.

He said it was 'crucial' for the WTO to keep monitoring any new protectionism measures. ..." [Xinhua/Factiva]

AFP notes that "The WTO said Tuesday it will hold its long-delayed full ministerial meeting this year from November 30 to December 2 in Geneva. ...this year's Geneva meeting is not expected to be a negotiating session for the Doha Round, WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell said after a meeting of the organization's ruling General Council. Instead, it will carry the theme 'The WTO, the multilateral trading system and the current global economic environment.' ..." [Agence France Presse/Factiva]