The government spokeswoman said the global situation had changed since the existing law was passed in 1994, making modifications essential.

"Changes were needed to bring Czech law into line with that of the European Union," Vera Duskova told AFP.

The Czech Republic joined the EU last May.

The country, along with other governments in central Europe, has been under pressure from non-governmental organisations to crack down on arms sales.

Under the amended law, state organisations will have to regularly compile current lists of military material and better inform about reasons for refusing licences.

The law also envisages compiling a list of countries to which arms exports are strictly banned.

Cooperation between the National Safety Office and the Minister of Industry and Trade would also be more clearly defined.

Under the communist regime when the Czech Republic and Slovakia were united Czechoslovakia sold arms to the Middle East and the developing world.

International pressure to crack down on illegal arms sales has increased since the September 11 attacks on the United States.

Human Rights Watch has highlighted the absence of checks preventing weapons reaching unauthorised destinations, authorised arms transfers to destinations where weapons fueled human right abuses and armed conflict and poor enforcement of embargoes and punishments.

The changes to the law must now be approved by the Czech parliament before taking effect.

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