CAIRO, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Egypt warned European countries on Tuesday to think carefully before sending ships to patrol Gaza's coastal waters to prevent arms smuggling, saying such a move could have significant consequences on ties with Arab states. The warning by Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit came after Britain, France and Germany offered to send warships to the Middle East to monitor and prevent arms smuggling to Gaza and to help consolidate a shaky ceasefire.

"In my discussions with European foreign ministers yesterday, I warned them and said: 'You must understand Arab and Muslim feelings,'" Aboul Gheit told a news conference, adding that if such a job was needed, the responsibility should be borne by Israel, not Europe.

"I urge you to look and consider this ... because it might have consequences in Palestinian and Arab relations with you," Aboul Gheit said, speaking after talks with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

The three European Union countries have sent a joint letter to the Israeli and Egyptian governments outlining their offer of naval support, according to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. They are also willing to help monitor border crossings in Gaza.

European officials stress their scope for action is limited while Cairo refuses to have a foreign presence on its soil to monitor the Egyptian end of a network of tunnels bringing in supplies -- including arms, according to Israel -- to Gaza.

Egypt, much criticised in the Arab world for cooperating in the Israeli blockade of Gaza over the past six months, has long been loath to allow any access by foreign troops to its own territory, fearing infringement on its sovereignty.

Aboul Gheit said earlier this month that Egypt would also not allow U.S. vessels to enter Egyptian waters to carry out anti-smuggling operations, and that any such operations should take place on the high seas.

That was after Washington and Israel signed a pact aimed at stopping smuggling that included technical assistance and the use of U.S. "assets" to prevent arms from reaching Hamas by air, land or sea, as well as deployment of vessels from NATO countries to prevent maritime smuggling.

France said on Friday it was sending a frigate carrying helicopters to patrol international waters off the Gaza coast as part of efforts to consolidate the ceasefire.

A statement from President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said the surveillance, aimed at preventing arms trafficking by sea to Hamas-ruled Gaza, would be carried out in full cooperation with Egypt and Israel. (Reporting by Aziz El-Kaissouni; Writing by Cynthia Johnston)