Qatar says to give 50 mln dollars funding to Hamas govt

DOHA, Apr 17 (Reuters) Qatar today said it will give 50 million dollars in aid to the Palestinian Authority despite calls from the United States and European Union to cut off funding unless the Hamas-led government recognises Israel.

A Foreign Ministry official told the state-owned Qatar News Agency the aid decision ''stems from Qatar's support for the Palestinian people''.

Reuters SI GC1628