Sha’ath Says Hamas Has Contacts with EU, American Officials

RAMALLAH (IRNA) - Palestinian Authority official Nabil Sha'ath has revealed that a meeting between EU officials and Hamas representatives took place in Beirut recently amid rumors of secret European efforts to convince Hamas to give peace efforts a chance.

The Palestinian daily newspaper al Ayyam on Monday quoted Sha'ath as saying that the outcome of the meeting was positive.

"The Europeans have informed us about the meeting with Hamas in Beirut and asked us not to talk about it in public, they apparently were pleased with the positive trends within Hamas."

Sha'ath also said that there were contacts between Hamas and American officials.

The Palestinian official said an unnamed Persian Gulf state would host a dialogue between Hamas and Fatah in an effort to overcome tension between the PA and the Islamic movement following the death of a PA security official by suspected Islamic activists.

Hamas has neither confirmed nor denied contacts with EU officials. However, Islamic leaders in the Gaza Strip have reaffirmed the movement's unflinching commitment to ending the Israeli occupation.