Olmert to Rice ''Keep Hamas out of the game''

JERUSALEM, Aug 1 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today that Hamas Islamists had to be ''kept out of the game'' as Israel explores new cooperation with the Palestinians.

At their first meeting since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip, an Israeli government spokesman said Olmert also told Rice that Israel was ready to hand over some security control in the occupied West Bank to President Mahmoud Abbas's forces, but only ''after proper security guarantees'' are given.

REUTERS SAM BST0112