Madison-Rafah Journal

Wednesday February 28, 12:43 AM

AFP Photo
The head of the militant Palestinian group Hamas on Tuesday evoked for the first time the possibility of resolving differences with Israel through negotiation.

Hamas political director Khaled Meshaal was speaking after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov assured him that Moscow would press for the lifting of an economic embargo on the Palestinians.

"We have asked the international community to take rapid steps to lift the embargo imposed on the Palestinian people and the unity government and to deal with them without discrimination," Meshaal told an AFP journalist in the Palestinian territories by telephone after meeting Lavrov.

"This will create a political climate that could open a political prospect in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," Meshaal said.

It was the first time that a senior Hamas leader had implied that the movement, regarded as a terrorist organization by Israel and the West, could enter political negotiations with Israel under certain circumstances.

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Meshaal stressed that the February 8 accord on a new unity Palestinian government required a change of tack by the United States and its allies.

The new government comprises Hamas and the Fatah faction led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

"The Arab and Islamic world needs a serious change in the policy of the Quartet in the region," said Meshaal.

"They demand a positive response to the Mecca agreement."

The diplomatic Quartet involves four parties — the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the Unites States — mediating in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But while he reiterated a list of Hamas demands, Meshaal offered no indication that his group was prepared to budge on its refusal to recognize Israel's right to exist. This is one of three key Quartet conditions for dealing with Hamas, whether it is part of a unity government or not.

"Israel must first end its occupation of Palestinian territories and put an end to the suffering of the Palestinian people," said Meshaal.

"When Israel does this, the Palestinian people will clearly define its position," he added.

Earlier, Lavrov said Russia would lobby for progress in the peace process and work to end the sanctions on the Palestinian government, as he welcomed Meshaal before assembled journalists.

"We are striving to have the international community support the peace process and make it irrevocable, including helping end the blockade" on the Palestinian government, Lavrov said.

Meshaal said efforts to secure Russia's support for the lifting of financial sanctions on the Palestinian government were the "main thing" he discussed in two days of talks with Russian officials.

The diplomatic Quartet imposed the sanctions after Hamas took control of the Palestinian government in democratic elections last January while still refusing to recognize Israel or renounce violence.

But the Quartet has since been split on how to respond to the recent Mecca agreement. Abbas, whose Fatah faction is backed by the West, describes it as the best arrangement that can be hoped for at present.

Separately, a hardline Israeli deputy prime minister, Avigdor Leiberman, said Moscow's pledge to help lift the sanctions on the Palestinian government was a major error.

"This position is a mistake…. It has to be understood that lifting the economic blockade could strengthen Hamas," Lieberman said at a news conference after a two-day visit to Moscow coinciding with that of Meshaal.

"We are, to say the least, not pleased… Hamas is a terrorist organisation," said Lieberman, warning that recognition of a Palestinian government including the radical group would mean "support for terrorism."