US urges Hamas to change course

The United States urged on Wednesday the radical Hamas to change course and said it must make a choice between "a terrorist organization" or a reliable partner for peace.

"I think there is a strong consensus that a Hamas-led ( Palestinian) government faces a choice and that choice is either continue as a terrorist organization ... or join with the international community in recognizing Israel, rejecting terror and violence," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing.

Ereli also urged Hamas to honor commitments that form the basis for a negotiated settlement that meets the aspiration and needs of the Palestinian people.

"All of our actions will be designed to bring about that kind of behavior -- that kind of decision," he said.

The United States has threatened to cut all its aid to a Hamas- led Palestinian government if the radical group does not renounce violence and recognize Israel.

In response, Khaled Meshaal, top political leader of Hamas, has vowed a Hamas-led government would succeed in reconciling its struggle against Israeli occupation with the exercise of power.

Source: Xinhua