The supreme leader of Hamas has promised that the militant group will end missile attacks and other violence against Israel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today that the new Palestinian unity government must “openly and clearly” agree with the demands of the Quartet of Middle East negotiators – adopting past agreements, renouncing terrorism, and recognising Israel.

Security Council members are optimistic that a key meeting next month on the Israel-Palestinian conflict will help revive the stalled peace process, Russia’s UN ambassador said.

Russia’s foreign minister said he expects the Palestinian group Hamas to move closer to meeting international demands within two weeks – including setting up foreign aid monitoring and recognising Israel, according to a newspaper interview published today.