US 'will shun Hamas-Fatah coalition'

The United States will shun a future Hamas-Fatah coalition government because it will not explicitly recognise Israel, the Palestinian president’s aides said today.

That position would be a severe blow to President Mahmoud Abbas, who is trying to reach a power-sharing deal to end Palestinian in-fighting and to get crippling international sanctions on the government lifted.

Last week, the two political rivals reached a coalition agreement in principle, and the Hamas-led government was set to resign later today to pave the way for a coalition government.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said US officials have made it clear to the Palestinians that any government must adhere to the principles laid out by the Quartet of Mideast mediators – recognise Israel, renounce violence and back previous peace deals with Israel.

“The Americans reiterated their position that their relations with the government will depend on the government’s compliance with the Quartet’s principles,” he said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has told Turkish television that Israel is not happy with the coalition agreement.