GENEVA - An author cited in a rambling manifesto written by the Norway massacre suspect has expressed regret that her writing might have helped to inspire his rampage.

Gisele Littman, who writes under the name Bat Ye'or, says that since her books are in the public domain she has no control over who quotes her.

But she says that if Anders Breivik took inspiration from what she wrote, she regrets it and is greatly saddened by all the lives lost.

Breivik cites Littman's work approvingly many times in the document he posted shortly before Friday's attacks.

Her 2005 book "Eurabia: the Euro-Arab Axis" explores the relationship between European and Muslim countries

She says some Europeans harbour a suppressed fear of Islamic colonization that might erupt into violence.

And she says she fears Friday's massacre is something other people will imitate.

Littman is a Cairo-born Jew whose website says she fled the country in the 1950's after her nationality was revoked.

She now lives in Switzerland.