(GENEVA) - Key negotiators urged compromise to ensure progress towards a global trade pact here on Tuesday, as World Trade Organization talks ploughed through a ninth gruelling day.

Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim called political leaders to step up to the challenge and shoulder necessary risks, and European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson warned of an "appalling prospect" if a deal were rejected.

Arriving at morning meetings, Mandelson said he had "no doubt" that if parties failed to show flexibility, then "I'm afraid the deal will go down, it's as an appalling prospect as that".

He said: "If people want this deal, there's no better deal coming along and you have to consider if this fails what they would lose.

"They'll lose agricultural reform in the developed world, they'll be losing many opportunities and some protection for developing countries. It makes no sense at all to let this fail."

Amorim meanwhile called on political leaders to take on risks, saying that was part of shouldering political responsibilities.

"We have taken risks even political risks, because we thought that we were contributing to something important for everyone, that means a successful round. Because if it ends now, frankly I don't see how we could take it up again in two or three months, it would be a illusion," Amorim said.

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