Clinton urges Hamas to end violence

WASHINGTON, (AFP)

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that talks to reconcile Palestinian factions will only produce results if Hamas agrees to recognize Israel and other international terms. Clinton made the remarks as she prepared to travel to the region after Fatah and Hamas agreed Thursday to work together to set up a unity government during Egyptian-sponsored talks aimed at ending factional feuding.

In an interview with Voice of America radio that was distributed by the State Department, Clinton backed the idea of Palestinian unity. With Arab backing, the diplomatic quartet of the United States, the European Union, United Nations and Russia have laid out three conditions that any Palestinian partners in peace talks with Israel must meet.

Clinton reiterated those conditions, saying: “They must renounce violence, recognize Israel, and abide by previous commitments,” such as the Oslo peace accords.