Rafah border crossing closed - EU spokeswoman

BRUSSELS, Mar 14 (Reuters) The Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt shut down temporarily today after the European Union withdrew its monitors out of security concerns, an EU spokeswoman said.

''The Rafah border crossing has been closed...We have withdrawn our monitors for the day,'' said Cristina Gallach, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, adding the EU personnel were all safe.

She cited a deterioration in security after Palestinian gunmen kidnapped at least six foreigners in Gaza following Israel's storming of a West Bank jail where a senior militant is being held.

REUTERS PG RN2205