"COPENHAGEN/CANBERRA -- Most world leaders plan to attend a climate summit in Copenhagen this month, boosting chances that a new U.N. deal to fight climate change will be reached, host Denmark said on Tuesday.

The number of leaders planning to come to the December 7-18 talks had risen to 98 out of the 192 members of the United Nations, Denmark said. The number was up from 65 in a first count after invitations were sent last month.

"It gives me a strong feeling that we are on the right track," Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told a news conference.

Many analysts say chances of healing deep rifts between rich and poor nations over how to fight global warming have improved after leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jibao have said they would come to Copenhagen."

John Acher and James Grubel report for Reuters December 2, 2009.
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See Also:

"With an Eye on Copenhagen, Senate Tiptoes Back Into Climate Debate" (ClimateWire) [3]

"Europe Bypassed on Climate Summit" (New York Times) [4]