Hamas urges EU not to suspend aid to government

GAZA, Apr 7 (Reuters) Hamas today urged the European Commission not to suspend aid to the new government led by the Islamic militant group, saying it would be a form of ''collective punishment'' on the Palestinian people.

''We urge Europe to adopt the language of dialogue without preconditions. Setting preconditions will not help the stability of the region,'' Mushir al-Masri, a Hamas lawmaker, told Reuters.

A senior British official said the European Commission would announce on Monday a suspension of aid to the Palestinian government because it had not recognised Israel or renounced violence.

REUTERS SHR RN1514