The Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas)-led Palestinian government said on Wednesday that it would respect previous peace deals signed by Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), but wouldn't recognize them.

Cabinet spokesman Ghazi Hamad made the remarks in response to a Tuesday report that he told Israeli Army Radio the Hamas-led government would recognize the agreements signed between Israel and the PLO.

In a written statement sent to reporters on Wednesday, Hamad said that "I just want to clarify that what the Israeli Army Radio broadcasted that Hamas will accept the signed agreements is totally untrue."

"What I said is that Hamas would be committed to the deal between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas that Hamas would respect the previous peace agreements," the spokesman added.

Hamad underlined that respecting the agreements didn't mean at all recognizing them.

The Hamas-led government, which took office in March, has found itself facing embargo and economic sanctions by Israel and the West after refusing to meet their demands of recognizing Israel and renouncing violence.

Source: Xinhua