Australia says North Korea may fire more missiles

CANBERRA, July 5 (Reuters) - North Korea could be planning more missile tests, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Wednesday as Canberra condemned the overnight launches.

"I think it's possible that there will be further launches, yes. We have information that there may be, not that there will be, but that there may be," Downer told reporters in Adelaide.

Australia is one of the few countries to have formal diplomatic ties with North Korea, which launched at least six missiles -- including a long-range Taepodong-2 missile -- in defiance of the international community.

Australia called in North Korea's ambassador to Australia to protest against the tests, with Downer saying missile launches heightened security concerns in North Asia.

"This is a challenge to international peace and security and it is a matter that should be discussed and considered by the (U.N.) Security Council itself," Downer said.

He said it was crucial for China to do everything possible to persuade North Korea to abandon any more missile launches, and to encourage North Korea to return to the six-party talks on winding up its nuclear weapons programme.