The international community need to address Hamas in a single and strong voice in order to reach a positive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini and his visiting Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni agreed Wednesday.

The two ministers also talked about Iran's nuclear issue.

At a joint press conference, Fini stressed that "the same approach must be used for both Hamas and Iran. If the international community is united, firm and resolute, Hamas will embark on a virtuous path."

"The less time Hamas takes to meet the demands of the international community, the sooner a solution to the Mideast situation will come," he added.

Fini then repeated that these demands included "the new Palestinian leadership renouncing all forms of violence, disarming the militias and recognizing Israel's right to exist in peace and security".

The Israeli foreign minister said that "any ambiguous position or compromise with Hamas will only lead to a stalemate and a new period of violence. This would cancel the opportunity offered by Israel's withdrawal from Gaza."

As regards Iran's nuclear issue, both Fini and Livni agreed that this represented "a threat to the whole world and not just Israel".

This is Livni's first visit to Rome since she was appointed foreign minister in January.

Livni met earlier in the day with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Source: Xinhua