Oslo - In an attempt to combat prostitution and trafficking, the Norwegian government Friday presented a bill banning the purchase of sexual favours.

The ban will apply for Norway and also outside the Scandinavian country.

According to the bill, violators of the ban against buying sexual favours would risk a fine or up to six months in jail. But cases involving minors could result in a sentence of up to three years.

Police would be authorized to tap telephone conversations, providing one of the parties had consented to that.

"Humans are not goods, and making it a criminal act to buy sexual favours will make Norway less attractive for traffickers," Justice Minister Knut Storberget said.

Storberget said the bill was not intended to make matters "worse" for sex workers, adding that the government had introduced measures to support sex workers and the bill aimed to change attitudes.

A ban has been debated for several years, and was likely to pass in parliament since it has the backing of the ruling red-green coalition of Storberget's Labour Party, the Centre Party and Socialist Left Party as well as the opposition Christian Democrats.

As in neighbouring Sweden, the prostitute who offers these services would not be punished.

The Swedish law was introduced in 1999. Although street prostitution has decreased noticeably in cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg, prostitution has not disappeared. Police raid underground brothels from time to time. Prostitutes are linked up with clients via the internet, telephone or word of mouth. (dpa)