Peace not close - Hamas
2010-02-08 23:06
Moscow - The leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas says he sees "no prospects" for a Mideast peace settlement.
Khaled Mashaal said on Monday that Israeli leaders talk about "war and occupation" thus blocking peace talks on the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon.
Mashaal spoke after a meeting with the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov.
His statement leaves in doubt Moscow's desire to host a Mideast peace conference and to involve Hamas, despite strong opposition from Israel and the US.
Russia is part of the so-called quartet of Mideast peace brokers with the US, the European Union and the United Nations.
Russia has repeatedly called for an end to the blockade of the Gaza Strip that was imposed by Israel after Hamas wrested control there in June 2007.
- SAPA