The ruling Islamist movement Hamas on Sunday once again rejected conditions set by the West for resuming ties with the Palestinian government.
GAZA CITY: The ruling Islamist movement Hamas on Sunday once again rejected conditions set by the West for resuming ties with the Palestinian government.
"Hamas rejects the conditions of the quartet as they are unjust conditions," Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for the movement, said, referring to the international quartet for Middle East peace.
"We are doing everything possible to lift the siege against the Palestinian people but this will not be done at the expense of Palestinian principles and rights," Abu Zuhri said.
After Hamas formed a government following its election victory in January, the West cut all direct aid to the Palestinian government, demanding that the movement renounce violence, recognize Israel and agree to abide by past Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
Earlier in the day, visiting British Prime Minister Tony Blair said that if the Palestinians succeeded in forming a national unity government, the West should deal with such an administration.
Palestinian moderate president Mahmud Abbas has been trying to cobble together a national unity government with Hamas for several months and was expected to travel to Gaza for the latest round of talks on the issue later on Sunday.
"Hamas supports the creation of a national unity government, put in place for the Palestinian people and not for powers abroad," Abu Zuhri said.
The international quartet -- the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States -- launched the so-called roadmap to Middle East peace in 2003.
The blueprint, which calls for a viable Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel, has made next to no progress since its inception.
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