The United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations say the Islamic group Hamas must renounce violence against Israel, recognize the Jewish state's right to exist and accept all previous Palestinian agreements and obligations.
Members of the international Mideast "quartet" want all aid programs and financial assistance for the Palestinian Authority to continue until Hamas can form a new government. However, the major powers also say it is inevitable that future help for the Palestinians will depend on Hamas's commitment to nonviolence and its acceptance of the internationally backed "road map" peace plan.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan read a statement on behalf of the quartet after Monday's meeting in London where leaders discussed the implications of Hamas candidates' sweeping victory last week in the Palestinian legislative elections.
In Moscow Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin also called on Hamas to recognize Israel's existance and abandon its radical views.
Information for this report is provided by REU, AFP and AP.
