Middle East: Russia's plans to talk to Palestinian election winner Hamas drew a low-key response yesterday from Israeli interim prime minister Ehud Olmert, according to remarks attributed to him by a government official.
"I think the Russian position is mistaken, as I have stated. But from what they said to us during the weekend, they will demand Hamas recognise Israel and give up terror," the official quoted Mr Olmert as telling his cabinet.
Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he would invite leaders of Hamas, an Islamic militant group dedicated to Israel's destruction, to Moscow to talks following its victory in the January 25th Palestinian parliamentary election.
Mr Putin's announcement, seen by political commentators as a bid to reclaim the influential role Moscow once had in Middle East affairs, challenged US-led resistance to dealing with Hamas until it recognises Israel and renounces violence.
Meanwhile, doctors said the comatose former prime minister Ariel Sharon was in critical but stable condition after an operation on Saturday to removed a section of damaged intestines.
In the occupied West Bank, Jewish settlers daubed graffiti insulting the Prophet Muhammad on the wall of a village mosque, an Israeli military source and local residents said.Palestinians later threw stones at Israeli cars driving to nearby Jewish settlements.
- (Reuters)