Hamas says encouraged by Quartet's position

GAZA, Feb 22 (Reuters) The Islamic militant group Hamas said today it was encouraged by what it called a ''wait and see'' approach by the Quartet of West Asia mediators towards a new Palestinian unity government.

The Quartet, comprising the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations, repeated a demand yesterday that any Palestinian government renounce violence, recognise Israel and respect interim peace deals.

But the unity government deal between the ruling Hamas movement and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah faction widened divisions within the Quartet.

The United States wants to continue to shun the government if it does not meet the three conditions, whereas Russia and other European governments favour a softer line.

''They (the Quartet) have decided to wait and see until the new government is formed and they have not rushed to reiterate the continuation of the siege and sanctions,'' Hamas cabinet spokesman Ghazi Hamad said. ''They have left the door open for the possibility of opening a dialogue.'' Citing divisions within the Quartet, Hamad said: ''I believe there is a possibility to change the Quartet's position in a more positive manner to deal with the government.'' Abbas political adviser Ahmed Abdel-Rahman said the Quartet ''will open the door'' to restoring ties with the Palestinian government once it fully understands the unity government deal.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas has said he hopes to announce a new government within three weeks.

Hamad said progress was being made and key decisions would be taken next week.

The unity agreement contained a vague promise to ''respect'' previous Israeli-Palestinian agreements but did not directly commit the new government to renouncing violence or recognising Israel.

''In the unity government, we have adopted a political agenda that leaves a large amount of room for political movement that could be developed. The political agenda can be used by the international community to make a serious political process,'' Hamad said, though he gave no details.

But Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he reached an agreement with US President George W Bush to shun the Palestinian unity government.

Although Olmert said he would maintain contacts with Abbas, the Israeli leader played down the chances of resuming serious peace talks through the Palestine Liberation Organisation, whose interim accords with Israel were rejected by Hamas.

REUTERS BDP MIR KP1526