Berlin - The leaders of Germany and Britain called for urgent action Thursday to end the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Gordon Brown said they would support moves designed to stop the flow of arms to Gaza and ease the humanitarian situation there.

Speaking after talks in Berlin, they also promised to provide technical assistance to shore up security along Gaza's borders.

The two leaders also called on Ukraine and Russia to resolve their political differences so that gas supplies could be resumed to Europe.

They also pledged to work closely with the incoming US administration of president-elect Barack Obama in order to help the world overcome the current economic crisis.

Merkel said she had invited representatives of the European Union to Berlin for mid-to-late February to discuss preparations for the next Group of 20 summit in London on April 2.

The G20, a forum for cooperation and consultation on matters relating to the international financial system, held its first summit in November 2008 in Washington. (dpa)