Hamas-led government condemns West Asian mediators

GAZA, Feb 3 (Reuters) The Hamas-led Palestinian government condemned the quartet of West Asian mediators, accusing the group of doing Washington's bidding and of punishing the Palestinian people.

''This position does not contribute to bringing security, stability and calm in the region, but it contributes to increasing the suffering of the Palestinian people,'' the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said in a statement yesterday.

Meeting in Washington, the quartet backed a US push to try to revive peace talks through Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and appeared to reaffirm an embargo against the Hamas-led government unless it renounces violence, recognises Israel and respects past peace deals.

''The results of the meeting were a complete match to the American position, which imposed a siege against our people. The results were disappointing to our people,'' the Foreign Ministry statement said.

But the Hamas-led government praised Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said it was necessary to work with Hamas. ''We praise the Russian position, which we see as being in the right direction,'' the statement said.

The quartet includes the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States.

Reuters SBA VP0535