Top Israeli minister cancels Qatar trip over Hamas

JERUSALEM, Oct 29 (Reuters) Israeli Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni had cancelled plans to attend a UN meeting in Qatar because of the expected presence of legislators from the Islamist militant group Hamas, officials said today.

Israel has low-level ties with Qatar, and Livni's invitation to a United Nations convention on democracy would have been the first visit by a leading Israeli government minister to the Gulf state in a decade.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said Livni had never finalised details for the trip but stopped making plans after learning that two legislators from Hamas, the Palestinian ruling party, would be attending the convention.

''The international community has said no legitimacy can be given to Hamas until it meets'' demands to recognise the Jewish state and renounce violence, Regev said.

Israel -- backed by the West -- has boycotted Hamas, which won Palestinian elections in January. Hamas refuses to recognise Israel and its charter calls for the Jewish state's destruction.

The last Israeli leader to visit Qatar was then Prime Minister Shimon Peres who opened a trade office in 1996.

Israel has sought to court what it sees as moderate Arab countries, such as Qatar, as potential allies against Iran's nuclear programme and in fighting militants.

Reuters SP VV1304