Some European delegates had sought to begin laying the groundwork for a global protocol on mercury.

European delegates dominated the semifinals for the third consecutive time with 7 semi-finalists.

His proposal surprised his British hosts, his fellow European delegates and those from other countries around the world.

"Things are looking better, but this does not mean all problems have been solved," a European delegate said.

There has been much speculation here that other European delegates would not support the Paris bid this time because they were looking ahead to 2012.

European delegates sought to popularise the plan for the increasingly international demonstration.

The conference was punctuated throughout by disputes between east European delegates about the treatment of minorities in their own or neighbouring states.

European delegates argued against an American boycott, saying the conference's usefulness would be limited without the presence of the United States.

"Too much political prestige has been invested in creating a truly independent court," a Western European delegate said.

This led some European delegates and environmentalists to complain that the accord had been unduly weakened.