Norway drops lawsuit against Israeli officials

Norway has dismissed a complaint filed by a group of lawyers accusing Israeli officials of committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

Chief prosecutor Siri Frigaard dismissed the complaint, claiming "there is no good reason" for Norwegian authorities to investigate further, AP reported.

The complaint had been filed on April 22, under a law which allows foreigners to be prosecuted in Norway over war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity even when the criminal acts are committed outside the country.

Frigaard however said Norway "must show great care" when deciding whether to investigate war crimes committed by individuals with no connection to the country.

The lawsuit had called for the arrest and extradition of former prime minister Ehud Olmert, opposition leader and ex-foreign minister Tzipi Livni, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and seven Israeli commanders.

Norway dropped the case at the same time it abstained from voting on a report in the UN General Assembly on Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The report released by South African Judge Richard Goldstone concluded that Israel used disproportionate force and failed to protect civilians during its December-January offensive against the Palestinians in Gaza.