Brussels, April 17 (QNA) - European stocks closed higher Friday.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 index rose 1.56 percent to 626.58 points.

Germany's DAX index climbed 2.25 percent to 24,698.94 points.

France's CAC 40 index gained 1.97 percent to 8,425.13 points.

Britain's FTSE 100 index also rose, gaining 0.73 percent to 10,667.63 points. (QNA)