Oslo  - Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store was due to visit Egypt for talks with his counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit on Wednesday before flying out for a meeting of European officials in Paris the next day..

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, Middle East envoy Tony Blair, and European Union external affairs commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner would be part of the meeting in Paris Thursday.

Norway currently chairs the international donors group for the Palestinians, known as the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee.

In a radio debate Tuesday, Store discussed the issue of the ongoing Israeli air and ground attacks on Gaza and rebuilding what has been destroyed.

"This is a huge issue. On Thursday I am to meet the EU Commission's Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and she says it will be difficult for her to yet again ask for funds to rebuild what has been destroyed," Store said.

"This is an enormous challenge that the donor community has to discuss, he said. "But there is no doubt that we will offer humanitarian relief to help these people survive, get school and education." (dpa)