Hamas will ask Saudi to continue support - Haniyeh

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

RIYADH, Mar 9 (Reuters) A Hamas delegation will visit Saudi Arabia seeking political and economic support from the key Arab and Muslim country, Palestinian prime minister designate Ismail Haniyeh said in comments published today.

''It is in your direction that we turn every day in prayer and, after God, it is to the Saudi people that we turn when other options have become difficult,'' Haniyeh was quoted as saying in the Saudi newspaper al-Madina.

Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter and birthplace of Islam, has been one of the biggest financial backers of the Palestinian Authority.

''Saudi Arabia has always been with (the Palestinians) in difficult political and economic times and will not give up this role,'' Haniyeh said in the interview conducted in Gaza.

''We will put our brothers in the picture about political developments on the ground, and the difficulties suffered by the Palestinian people, asking them to continue their positions.'' Leaders of the militant Islamist group have been on a tour of Arab and other countries seeking support after their surprise win in Palestinian elections in January.

The United States and the European Union have threatened to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority unless Hamas gives up its armed struggle against Israel and recognises the Jewish state.

Around three million Palestinians under Israeli control since the 1967 West Asia war want an independent state. But Hamas has been shunned by Western countries because it carries out suicide attacks against civilians inside Israeli cities.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal publicly spurned a US call to isolate Hamas during a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last month.

Haniyeh said a Hamas delegation would also ask Saudi Arabia to help formulate a positive Arab position towards the group during an Arab summit to be held in Khartoum later this month.

Haniyeh did not say when the delegation would arrive in Riyadh.

Saudi officials have said it would be this month.

REUTERS PR ND1616

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